February 25, 2004 - Denver Catholic Register: Malawi RPCV Jonathan Dellinge ordained transitional deacon in step toward priesthood

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Malawi: Peace Corps Malawi : The Peace Corps in Malawi: February 25, 2004 - Denver Catholic Register: Malawi RPCV Jonathan Dellinge ordained transitional deacon in step toward priesthood

By Admin1 (admin) (pool-151-196-188-54.balt.east.verizon.net - 151.196.188.54) on Tuesday, March 02, 2004 - 12:11 am: Edit Post

Malawi RPCV Jonathan Dellinger ordained transitional deacon in step toward priesthood



Malawi RPCV Jonathan Dellinger ordained transitional deacon in step toward priesthood

Four men ordained transitional deacons in step toward priesthood
Lorenzo Chavez

"...select...seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task." — Acts 6:3

More than 400 people including clergy, friends and family were on hand at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Saturday morning, Feb. 21, to ordain four transitional deacons hailing from Italy, Spain, Mexico and the United States.

Bright lights beamed from the cathedral ceiling illuminating the proceedings led by Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. Among the archbishop's messages was the continued universality of the Church and its international representation in Colorado.

The Ordination Rite was at times solemn but turned lighthearted and humorous as the Mass progressed with some lengthy translations offered in Italian and Spanish.

Later, Archbishop Chaput solicited a pledge from the four candidates to adhere to seven promises as they began their final steps toward priesthood in 2005. Among the other concelebrants were Bishop José Gomez, S.T.D., and rectors Father Michael Glenn, S.T.L., of St. John Vianney Theological Seminary and Father Florián Martín-Calama, S.T.L., of Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary. Also, more than 50 vested priests, deacons and nuns were in attendance.

Three of the new deacons were born overseas while the U.S.-born candidate has traveled the world.


Jonathan Dellinger, 36, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., studied at St. John Vianney College Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. Dellinger earned his degree in biology before entering training as a U.S. Army Ranger. After his honorable discharge, he became an environmental engineer before hearing God's calling to the priesthood. However, each time God called, Dellinger said, "I said `no' and ran as far and as fast as I could."

Dellinger ran away and joined the Peace Corps, which took him to Malawi, Africa, before his trek throughout Asia including India, Pakistan and China.

"By the time it was over I realized I could not hide from God and I grew in love for him and his call," Dellinger said. Finally, while in China, he decided to serve God. He volunteered at Denver's Samaritan House and at Seton House with the Missionaries of Charity before joining the seminary.


During the Mass, Archbishop Chaput emphasized the need for accountability from each candidate. The apostles, he said, selected seven men to assist them. Like the original deacons, the newly ordained men are expected to follow the Church's teachings, including maintaining allegiance to seven promises that included being consecrated for the Church's work, celibacy, humble charity, spreading the Gospel, abiding by the spirit of prayers, living by Christ's example, and obedience to the archbishop.

"You are all making big promises," the archbishop said. "So, as God has begun this good work in you, bring it to fulfillment. By your own faith will you be filled in wisdom by the Holy Spirit."

Each candidate knelt before the archbishop as part of the laying of the hands and the prayer of ordination. The archbishop warmly embraced each candidate saying: "May the peace of Christ be with you." Some two-dozen vested deacons came forward to embrace the newly ordained men, who then sat beside Archbishop Chaput for the remainder of the Mass. The congregation applauded enthusiastically.

"The apostles internationalized the Church by creating deacons," Archbishop Chaput said. "We're beginning to look like the early Church - universal."

Near the end of the Mass, the archbishop's comments were translated into Italian and Spanish. Newly-ordained Deacon Emilio Franchomme nervously translated the archbishop's comments simultaneously, at one time mangling the Italian translation for "internationalization." The archbishop and congregation laughed heartily. Moments later Bishop Gomez translated the archbishop's comments in Spanish, intentionally mangling another translation.

The archbishop thanked the men's families, many of whom had traveled from overseas to be at the Mass.

"Whether your sons served close to home or far away, they are our brothers and you are our mothers and fathers. We are one in family in Jesus Christ."





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Story Source: Denver Catholic Register

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Malawi; Religion; Christian Issues

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By I MBEWE (gw.pmecp.gov.zm - 64.86.210.122) on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 6:12 am: Edit Post

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