On Saturday, January 25, 2025, during the third Sunday of Ordinary Time and the sixth “Sunday of the Word of God,” Friar Antonio GRASSI was ordained to the diaconate. The ordination took place in the beautiful baroque setting of the Pontifical Minor Basilica and parish church of Sancta Maria ad Nives, the “Duomo” of Copertino, a town located in the Salento area [the “heel” of the Italian “boot”].
Friar Antonio was ordained the permanent diaconate during a Mass presided over by the Most Reverend Giuseppe PIEMONTESE, OFM Conv., Bishop of Terni-Narni-Amelia, Italy. Among the numerous concelebrants were Friar Daniele Maria MAIORANO, Minister Provincial of the Province of St. Nicholas and St. Angelo in Italy (Puglia), to which Friar Antonio belongs; Friar Matteo ORNELLII, Guardian of the San Giuseppe da Copertino Friary in Copertino, where Friar Antonio is currently based; and Father Adriano DONGIOVANNI, the Pastor of the hosting parish. Several other deacons also participated in the celebration, along with the parish servers. Hymns during the Mass were sung by the choir of the diocesan Shrine of San Giuseppe da Copertino in Copertino, which is entrusted to our Order.
In his homily, the bishop emphasized various aspects of the diaconal ministry in the Church. He focused in particular on the role of the deacon as a proclaimer of the divine Word and a servant of the poor and the suffering.
After the Mass, there was a convivial reception, which took place in a very festive atmosphere with praise to God for the gift of this new minister to the Order and to the entire Church.
Friar Massimo Antonio RUGGIERO
