Thanksgiving of R. Deacon João Víctor Dos Santos Silva, C.R., on the occasion of receiving the sacred order of the diaconate
Today I want to repeat this phrase, said by Saint Cajetan: it is time that I woke up to make a decision: to withdraw and humble myself as unworthy or, as a faithful dispenser and humble treasurer, make me minister of the humble Lord! With this public commitment, I dedicate myself exclusively before the Church, before the people of God, all my strength in the service of the brothers. I take up the ministry of service, which is nourished by the Eucharist and the Word of God, and is expressed in the care, help, availability, promotion of those who are with me, which the Lord puts on my path. I make myself a deacon of the Church for, in the name of our diocesan bishop and our major superior R.P. Salvador Rodea González, CR, to fulfill the function of the one who ‘full of the Holy Spirit and Wisdom’ (Acts 6,3), distributes the goods of the Lord in the community.
I thank the welcome and helpfulness of the most reverend Msgr. Jorge Carlos Patron Wong, always very close to all of us. I thank R.P. Salvador Rodea González, CR, our Superior General, and through him to all my Theatines confreres who have contributed, helped, and prayed for me over the years, which today offer the sacrifice of the Eucharist in my intention, and which I am sure , will always accompany me. I thank my brothers Juniores and novices of the Theatine International College of San Giuseppe Maria Tomasi and of the house of San Paolo Maggiore in Naples, who in the last few days have dedicated themselves greatly, many times having to sacrifice themselves so as not to neglect their studies and other commitments, so that this celebration could be worthily and festively celebrated. I would never know how to thank you, I only say: here I am as the one who serves.
Finally, I thank my parents and sister, who I am sure intercede and offer constant prayers to God for me. I thank all my relatives and friends, who I always have in my life, they too pray for me. I ask everyone: pray for me, so that he can be a good deacon.
Thanks so much!!
DIAC. João Victor dos Santos Silva, C.R.
“God wants it to be done.”
