An intimate union with God and call to His service
Daniel Dillard, Ordained as Transitional Deacon
Larena Lawson, Serra Club Communications
The chilly October morning of Saturday, the 18th, certainly brought goose bumps to the surface of the arms of many of the faithful who came to witness the ordination of Daniel Dillard to the diaconate, but the cold air wasn’t the only thing that aroused unexpected sensations. The observance of the Sacrament of Holy Orders also caused emotions to stir up in the hearts of those who were there to attend Daniel’s ordination, like a burst of joyful explosion, merging the heavens and the earth, when the Holy Spirit came down upon him and made him His own.
With the breath of the Holy Spirit in the air at Daniel’s home parish of Holy Name of Jesus in Henderson, Daniel made his commitment to celibacy, was examined as a candidate, and made his promise of obedience, before prostrating himself before the altar and Bishop John McRaith, in a position of prayer. Then the angelic singing of the Litany of Saints called for their intercession and for God’s mercy in preparation for Daniel to receive the grace of the Holy Spirit by the Laying on of Hands. Invocating the saints, name by name, stirred the emotions of Daniel’s mother Ranni, who said that at that moment she could envision all of Daniel’s deceased relatives and friends gathered with the angels and saints, joining them in witnessing his reception of the Sacrament. His young niece however, was a little distressed and wondered what was wrong with Daniel, thinking he might be sick as he laid on the floor, motionless in prayer. When he finally moved, she was so relieved that he was ok. For me, that solemn time of prayer in the ordination celebration was very powerful. The tears flowed from my eyes in joy as I recalled all the years it has taken Daniel to prepare for this special day and my support of him on his journey. He was the first of the seminarians I know and love to be ordained. As he rose to his feet, I observed that he had also shed tears, which he gently wiped with his handkerchief before he stood in front of the Bishop for the imposition of hands. It was a potent expression of love and surrender to the will of God, as he stood ready to commit himself to a life dedicated to the service of God as His ordained minister.
Bishop John McRaith laid his hands upon Daniel and prayed for the Holy Spirit to come upon him. As Daniel’s family and friends looked on, along with many priests who came in support of their soon- to -be fellow minister, Daniel humbly received the Sacrament of Holy Orders. All responded a resounding “Amen” to the Prayer of Consecration. Then Deacon Joe Ohnemus and Father Tony Bickett vested Deacon Daniel with stole and dalmatic. Afterwards, he was presented with the Book of the Gospels and offered a sign of peace from Bishop John.
The newly ordained Deacon Daniel Dillard then reverently prepared the altar for the Liturgy of the Eucharist to the sound of “O God Beyond All Praising.”
God does go beyond our praising. Throughout the rest of the Holy Mass, watching Deacon Daniel go about the duties of an ordained deacon was a proud moment for us all. It called to mind that it has been six long years since the Diocese of Owensboro has ordained a transitional deacon to serve in the diocese, and now God has blessed us with another good man to serve Him and us. How can we praise Him enough for this precious gift He has given to us?
And God’s blessings do not stop there. The day after Deacon Daniel was ordained Steve Hohman was accepted as a Candidate for the Priesthood. On Oct. 26, Uwem Enoh will also be received as a candidate for the priesthood and then on Nov. 1 Josh McCarty will also be ordained deacon.
† Praise God from whom all blessings flow! †
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