Homily for the Oath of Fidelity and Profession of Faith
On Wednesday, December 15, our third-year seminarians signed the solemn Oath of Fidelity and made their Professions of Faith. In signing these oaths in front of God, our rector Father John Kartje, and the rest of the community, our seminarians made a public declaration that they believe all that the Catholic Church teaches and they promise to be faithful to that teaching in their ministry as deacons.
The ceremony is a necessary step prior to ordination to the Transitional Diaconate in the spring, as it documents the seminarian’s willingness to uphold the teachings of the Catholic Church in the ministry he exercises. The process also includes submitting handwritten letters to their local Bishop, petitioning to receive these sacred orders. Please keep our seminarians in your prayers.
Luke 7:18b-23
At that time,
John summoned two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask,
“Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”
When the men came to the Lord, they said,
“John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask,
‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?’”
At that time Jesus cured many of their diseases, sufferings, and evil spirits;
he also granted sight to many who were blind.
And Jesus said to them in reply,
“Go and tell John what you have seen and heard:
the blind regain their sight,
the lame walk,
lepers are cleansed,
the deaf hear, the dead are raised,
the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.
And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”
