Sights & Sounds: A new deacon to ‘serve the Lord with gladness’
On May 17, Transitional Deacon Josue Daniel Betancourt was ordained by Auxiliary Bishop Manuel A. Cruz at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, NJ.
During the Mass, Bishop Cruz prayed that Deacon Betancourt would be “a faithful witness of the Gospel, generous in service, and steadfast in prayer,” while also expressing gratitude to his parents, Carlos and Mercedes, his “first teachers in the faith.”
“The word you proclaim must first take root within you,” the bishop said in his homily. “For the Word of God needs to be heard in the silence of our heart.”
Bishop Cruz noted that the world is “filled with noise and distractions,” but that “God continues to speak in silence.”
“This is why prayer is essential to your ministry,” he said.
Through the grace of the Holy Spirit
After promising to carry out his ministry faithfully, Josue Betancourt placed his hands between those of the bishop and promised to respect and obey his ordinary, Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, and his successors. He then prostrated himself before the altar while the assembly prayed for him. Bishop Cruz subsequently imposed his hands upon him and prayed that the Holy Spirit would be sent forth upon him.
“Through the Holy Spirit, our son is now a deacon of our Church,” Bishop Cruz said at the end of the Mass in remarks that were delivered in Spanish and English.
“We send you many blessings and pray for you, and we will not forget you,” he told Deacon Betancourt. “I pray that you always serve the Lord with gladness, and that you always proclaim God’s Word and lead people to conversion.”
To view more images of Deacon Betancourt’s ordination, CLICK HERE.
Each week, Jersey Catholic features the rich and inspiring “Sights & Sounds” of the Archdiocese of Newark. Visit us regularly to explore our vibrant parishes, sacred artworks, historic landmarks, and the faithful men, women, and youth who bring our Catholic community to life.
You can view video highlights of the ordination below:
Featured image: Deacon Josue Daniel Betancourt was ordained on May 17 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Julio Eduardo Herrera / Archdiocese of Newark)
