On December 9, 2018, in the Cathedral of Viseu, João Soares, CM, a members of the Province of Portugal of the Congregation of the Mission, was ordained a deacon. João is from Vila Fria, Felgueiras, and in recent months he has ministered in the community of Viseu, more specifically in the parishes of Orgens and São Salvador.
The bishop of the diocese, Antonio Luciano, presided at the ceremony and that was his first ordination since becoming bishop.
Given the fact that this was the ordination of a member of a missionary congregation, people from various parts of the country participated in the event, including people from Spain where João had spent time during his formation.
Two elements characterized this celebration: joy and simplicity. Those two elements made the event a true feast for the Congregation, the Diocese and the Vincentian Family.
The words of the bishop revealed his admiration for the presence of the Congregation in his diocese and at the same expressed his concern with regard to the lack of openness in responding to a call to the religious life. Throughout his homily he highlighted the theme of vocation. A religious vocation is a natural consequence of the family vocation and, citing the words of the bishop, families, like that of João and many others, are the great benefactors of the Church.
The liturgical ceremony, especially the music, was directed by Father Albertino Goncalver CM, who brought together musicians and singers from throughout the region of Felgueiras and Viseu. All of that labor of love enabled the participants to lift up their voices, their minds and their hearts to God.
After the celebration there was a very simple but familiar gathering in the Vincentian community of Monte Salvado where João had lived together with Fr. Álvaro Cunha and Fr. Bruno Cunha, CM. The bishop joined us and took advantage of that opportunity to come to a better understanding of the missionary activity of Congregation of the Mission in Portugal and throughout the world.
After almost a decade without ordinations, this was a true Advent because we now hopefully await the priestly ordination of João. As a remembrance of his ordination, João distributed holy cards with the following words of Saint Vincent: we will lack nothing, provided that we are faithful to Him (CCD:XII:119) … those words communicate sureity and at the same time are very demanding. Blessings João and blessings in your ministry.
By: Fr. Carlos César, CM
Translated:
Charles T. Plock, CM
Eastern Province, USA
