The Ordination of Two Transitional Deacons

Vietnamese Martyrs Catholic Church in Arlington

On May 22, 2012, a crowd of around 1200 people gathered from all over the Diocese and beyond for the ordination of two of our transitional deacons: Khoi Tran and James Wilcox. This will be the first of five transitional diaconate ordinations in the coming twelve months for us. The Liturgy was celebrated in Vietnamese, English, Spanish, and Latin. It was a wonderful gathering of our local Church that not only expressed the prayers, appreciation, and support for "Vocations" to those in priestly formation, but it was also reflected the ethnic diversity of our local Church, and therefore the Universal Church! What follows are some pictures and the ordination homily.

Photo by Juan Guajardo

Photo by Juan Guajardo

Ordination of Deacon James Wilcox and Deacon Khoi Tran
Vietnamese Martyrs Catholic Church
Arlington, Texas

Dear Khoi and James, and all gathered here today,

As we gather in this joyful occasion at the ordination to the Diaconate of our brothers here, we are also gathered between the Ascension and Pentecost. This is the time when the apostles went back to Jerusalem to wait for the Holy Spirit, and from there they were sent to preach the Gospel to all the world and build up the Church. In this time of waiting, they were not quite sure what lay ahead, other than the admonishment of the angels to go, and even in their uncertainty about the future they trusted in the one who loved them. And in today's Gospel He tells them that "they belonged to Him, and that He prayed for them" -- the One who said that He would send them a helper. Indeed, He did, and He sent them the Holy Spirit. It is the same Holy Spirit who sends Saint Paul forth to a world that did not know Jesus, and whose chronicles we hear in these days. The same St. Paul, in the midst of his trails in Ephesus, says that he only wants to "finish his course" which is the ministry that he received from the Lord Jesus, to "bear witness to the Gospel of God's grace." If we believe that the living word of God is not just words on a page, then these are the living word of God for all of us today, but especially for you, James and Khoi.

In these days, as you finished this academic year in your seminaries, you have been, as it were, between the Ascension and Pentecost. You know you are being sent to a future proclaiming the word and charity that is yet to be revealed. It is as if the same angels of the Ascension are saying to you “why are you waiting: go, now, and live what you have learned, the Holy Spirit will be with you."

We here all come from various parts of the United States and the World, such as Vietnam and Mexico. Khoi…the faith nurtured by your family in Vietnam, and your life as a religious, accompany you to this day. James…your journey of faith in the Diocese of Dallas, the business world and in Carrollton, all came together here today as well. They are all directed by the Providential Hand of the Lord to this very moment. You have born witness, not to the Jews and Gentiles of Saint Paul's world, but to all of the people who have formed your lives. And know as St. Paul says [you are] "compelled by the Spirit” not to Jerusalem but to Arlington, Fort Worth and beyond!

Khoi, in your reflection, you wondered why the Lord chose you. You now know the answer. The Lord Himself says it when he says today that "you belong to Him." Believe now indeed that He sends you forth. James, as you reflect on the high priestly prayer of Jesus for today, you speak in much the same way as Khoi: This ministry of the Diaconate is about being a servant for those whom the Lord gives you, and to give glory to God by your ministry of word and charity.

Between the Saints of this parish Church and the saint of the day, Saint Rita, we are surrounded by people who will intercede for you and help you from this day forward. The Martyrs of Vietnam remind you, as well as all of us, of the necessity of a courageous witness of faith with one's life at all costs – a significant reminder for our world and culture today. Saint Rita, known as a Saint of the Impossible, always kept her eyes on Christ in some difficult situations, and she teaches us from eternity, that with the Lord, there are no "impossible situations" only countless occasions where we all find strength and grace in the midst of weakness; the gift of "Wonder and Awe" that our confirmation candidates have learned, and we need to learn again and again. Your ordinations, James and Khoi, are an occasion for you, and all of us, to experience that again and again.

As Deacons now, you are being sent to be icons of Charity and the Word, that in these moments of ministry, and in all of your lives: “BELIEVE WHAT YOU READ, TEACH WHAT YOU BELIEVE AND PRACTICE WHAT YOU TEACH."