Before 2008, I had given little to no thought about St. Lucy, the patron Saint for folks with eye diseases. You see faithful St. Lucy, as part of her martyrdom had her eyes removed during the Diocletian persecution. Once I realized that God had been calling me, a sinner who was so blind once that I didn't even attend Mass or participate in the Sacraments for almost 10 years, I came back. I came back because somehow, in God's plan and providence, he opened my eyes again. In 2003, I completely submitted when I took seriously God's invitation to at least inquire into the call to Holy Orders. Yes, I knew that I was being called to pursue the Permanent Diaconate, I just did not surrender to 2003. And even after going through inquiry and initial acceptance to be an aspirant, I still knew little next to nothing about good St. Lucy. I became a formal candidate for the diaconate and an ordination date of December 12, 2007 was set. Little did any of us know that there would be an historic event the likes of which none of us had ever experienced. Hurricane Katrina roared ashore in August 2005 and among her many victims would be the Archdiocese of New Orleans, including the formation program that was preparing me and my 23 formation classmates for that December 2007 ordination. Through all the post-Katrina confusion, one thing was crystal clear: there would be no ordination in 2007, we were left to wonder when. Eventually, as structure was restored thanks to herculean efforts of so many, we were gathered back together and given a new date: December 13, 2008. As the months and years flew by, as each of us grew on our own spiritual journey, ordination grew near. And the date remained December 13, 2008.
I begin looking at the calendar of the saints and various feasts of the Church. I had loved the idea of being ordained on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, if only ordination would have occurred in 2007. So I learned quickly about St. Lucy and added her to my personal litany of saints to pray through and with as my 2008 ordination drew near. St. Lucy battled courageously to be a faithful witness to Jesus Christ; to the point of death. Could I be such a faithful witness in the office that God called me to? The journey continued on December 13, 2008.
That Saturday morning was glorious in all ways; the weather was December perfect, the Advent season seemed right and I had managed to have family and friends present as I processed into St. Louis Cathedral in the old French Quarter of New Orleans. Participating in that morning's liturgy, answering the questions posed to me, lying prostrate on the marble floor of that venerable old Cathedral, submitting myself for the laying on of hands, I soon became Deacon Mike, newly ordained clergy called to serve the people of God in and of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Along with my brothers, our journey of formal classes, called formation, was over, but the real journey had just begun. I was assigned immediately to serve in my home parish, St. Jane de Chantal, who so supported me on my formation journey. I was also assigned to be the Catholic pastoral care chaplain for the inmates at Rayburn Correctional Center. Thanks be to God, I still minister at the prison to this day. And while I no longer am assigned to St. Jane's she is ever my home parish. Now I serve at Most Holy Trinity, which has been a wonderful blessing to me as I pray that in some small way I am a blessing in my ministries there! MHT has become my church home away from home!
So today marks my 6th anniversary as a Permanent Deacon for the Archdiocese of New Orleans!! How can 6 years go by so quickly? I'm not sure. Everything about this ministry, the office given to me has been pure joy. Not too long after being ordained I was also allowed to become part of the formation team for future aspiring deacons and a facilitator in our homiletics program. As a Permanent Deacon I have loved and continue to love my assisting at holy Mass, facilitating the Sacraments, most especially Baptism and Weddings and even being present to families at wakes, funerals and graveside services. And I truly love my prison ministry. The things that have occurred inside prison have indeed opened my eyes. The men are spiritual, they are working out their salvation in fear and trembling, like all of us. Since I've been at Rayburn our ministry grows, we have baptized or confirmed many, have implemented in-prison retreats and have reached out to and cooperated with other non-denominational ecumenical Christian efforts at the prison.
On this the 6th anniversary of my ordination I give thanks to God for the love and support of my wife Wendy, who's life too has been changed forever because of my ordination. She is a constant source of strength and support. I give thanks to God to the Priests who have influenced me the most, Fathers Robert Cavalier, Rodney Bourg, Dean Robbins, Kenny Allen and so, so any more. I give thanks to God for all the many Deacons in my life, a brotherhood that means so much, especially the two directors I have served under, Jim Swiler and Ray Duplechain, who happens to be a long-time childhood friend. I give thanks to God for the Bishops I have assisted; many do not realize it by the Permanent Deacon belongs to his Bishop. I have been privileged to have the prayers and fatherly advice of retired Archbishop Alfred Hughes and my current Archbishop Gregory Aymond. But most of all I give thanks for the hundreds and hundreds of parishioners that I have met and prayed for and with at both St. Jane's and MHT, the men from Rayburn Prison and anyone and everyone I have been blessed to minister to/with and those who have blessed/prayed and supported me. And I give thanks to good St. Lucy, who has become one of my patron saints. Through her intercession, may I never again be blind and always see; to see Christ like she saw Christ!
Six years a Permanent Deacon; to God alone be the Glory. What a glorious wonderful six years and looking forward to so many more!
To my brothers from the Permanent Deacon Class of 2008: Ad Multos Annos!
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