On Monday, October 4, 2021, the Solemnity of St. Francis of Assisi, six confreres from the Province of St. Joseph, Spouse of the B.V.M. in Romania were ordained to the diaconate through the imposition of the hands of the Most Reverend Iosif PĂULEȚ, Bishop of Iași, Romania. The event took place at the Theological Institute in Roman, Romania.
Those concelebrating included Friar Damian-Gheorghe PĂTRAŞCU, the Minister Provincial and Guardian of the Sf. Francisc de Assisi Friary in Roman, the formators and professors of the Institute, and a large number of priests from the diocese and the Province.
The celebration began with a procession to an altar that had been set up outside, in front of the Institute. At the same time, the faithful, along with a choir directed by Friar Cristian DUMEA, praised the Lord through song.
In his homily, the bishop highlighted the figure of St. Francis, as an always-relevant model for the deacons and for all the faithful, a man whose qualities should be imitated, especially his humility and simplicity.
The new deacons are Friars Emanuel Petrache ANTICA, Andrei Iulian CIOBANU, Alexandru Ionel DIAC, Narcis Leonard LASLĂU, Alexandru Cosmin SASCĂU and Petru VÂRGĂ.
May the Lord bless them through our Father St. Francis, and give them the grace always to be courageous witnesses at the service of the Gospel, the altar and the poor.
Friar Carol Daniel SABĂU