Diocese of Salt Lake City seminarian ordained a transitional deacon

Intermountain Catholic

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Jorge Roldán Sanchez, a seminarian for the Diocese of Salt Lake City, prostrates himself in front of the altar in the Cathedral of the Madeleine during his ordination to the transitional deaconate, which occurred during the Oct. 13 Mass presided over by the Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City. IC photo/Marie Mischel

SALT LAKE CITY — The Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City, ordained Jorge Roldán Sanchez a transitional deacon during a Mass in the Cathedral of the Madeleine on Oct. 13.

Roldán, who is at the Assumption Seminary in San Antonio, Texas and studying English at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México in that city, is expected to be ordained a priest for the diocese within the next year. He came to the diocese in 2011 after finishing his philosophy and theology studies in a seminary in Mexico. He is studying English and pastoral formation, taking some classes at the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, and has served at Saint Therese of the Child Jesus and Saint Patrick parishes in Utah.

"Jorge, you continually come back to Jesus," said the Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City, during his homily at the Mass. "You have come back home to this local Church, this mother Church of the Cathedral of the Madeleine, to encounter Jesus once again, who calls you into Holy Orders. Throughout your life, Jorge, you have considered many paths, no doubt. Many opportunities came your way, but you keep coming back to Jesus, to this call, to this life of ordained ministry. Clearly, Jesus has imprinted his love on you, his grace, and you have declared your desire to express your gratitude through a life of service. …"

Among the priests concelebrating the Mass were Monsignor Colin F. Bircumshaw, the Diocese of Salt Lake City vicar general and vicar of clergy; Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald, vicar general emeritus; Sulpician Father Jim Myers, director of spiritual formation at Assumption Seminary; and Father Martin Diaz, pastor of the Cathedral of the Madeleine.

Numerous permanent deacons in the diocese assisted at the Mass, including Deacon Ricardo Arias, the diocesan director of vocations.

Although Deacon Roldán’s family was unable to attend the Mass, several of his friends were present, including the Rev. Mr. Gervan Menezes of the Diocese of Nashville, Tenn.; William Rodríguez, a seminarian of the Diocese of Lubbock, Texas; and Leonel Rodríguez, a seminarian of the Diocese of Brownsville, Texas.

As a transitional deacon, Deacon Roldán has the same rights and responsibilities as permanent deacons: He is able to baptize people into the Catholic Church, protect and distribute the Eucharist, assist at and bless marriages in the name of the Church, bring viaticum to the dying, read the Scriptures to the faithful, administer sacramentals, officiate at funerals and burial rites, and serve the people of God.

"You will be a living expression of the Word that is Jesus, calling you to follow him always, calling you to serve your brothers and sisters by loving them, and serving them with the gifts that are uniquely yours," Bishop Wester told Deacon Roldán during the homily. "Remember to say thank you, that everything is a gift, and that Christ the giver of those gifts, in whom you live and move and have your being. You are called to express your gratitude by being a steward of service to all that you meet."

Bishop Wester also cautioned the newly ordained deacon to resist the desire to think that he is the architect of his own success. "Surrender only to the Lord Jesus, whose touch makes all things new," the bishop said, reminding him that he is called to serve everyone, and that he should strive to act always in accordance with God’s will."

To the congregation, Bishop Wester gave the reminder that "it is from your midst that Jorge is called to ordained service. Pray for your brother always. Support him with your love, your encouragement, your kindness. Thank God for the gift of Jorge in our midst, and for his willingness to say ‘yes’ to Christ’s call. And work diligently with me to foster vocations in our diocese. Pray often for this intention, and make it a priority in your lives."

After the Mass, at which he served as Deacon of the Eucharist, Deacon Roldán said the celebration was a blessing for him. At the moment when he answered ‘yes’ to the question of whether he would follow Christ, "I remembered all my formation. When the process started, I said ‘yes;’ now I say ‘yes’ again," he said.

Deacon Roldán also thanked the diocesan community for their support of him and his fellow seminarians.

"Thank you for everything, for supporting us, the seminarians," he said. "With their prayers, the people support us to continue our formation."