On Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., two friars from the Province of St. Francis in Brazil were ordained to the diaconate. The ordinations took place at the São Francisco de Assis Parish Church in Santa Barbara D’Oeste, São Paulo State, Brazil.
On that day, Friar Reinaldo Azevedo DA SILVA from the São Francisco de Assis Friary in Santa Barbara D’Oeste, and Friar Gustavo Jonas ROCHA DE MEDEIROS from the São Maximiliano M. Kolbe Friary in Mogi das Cruzes, were consecrated before the Church, the Order, their families and their friends.
The Most Reverend Cícero ALVES DE FRANÇA, Auxiliary Bishop of São Paulo, Brazil, presided over the ordinations. Also present were Friar José Hugo da Silva SANTOS, the Minister Provincial, and several other confreres from various friaries around the Province.
The bishop wished that the newly ordained might carry out their diaconal duty and service with great energy and commitment. In particular, he reminded them that their service should be selfless and freely given, that deacons should always seek to follow Christ and not themselves. Moreover, they should live according to the standards of the Gospel, and not so much by their own standards, without remaining locked in ideology and authoritarianism.
Finally, after the Mass, the friars continued to celebrate with their confreres, families and guests.
Friars Reinaldo and Gustavo will serve as deacons in preparation for their priestly ordination, which will take place after the canonical six-month waiting period.
May God bless and guide them in their ministry.
Friar Pacífico Alves dos SANTOS
Coordinator of the Provincial Commission for Communications
