Bishop Mark Hagemoen ordained Nicholas Blom to the Sacred Order of Deacons on the eve of the Solemnity of St. Peter and St. Paul, June 28, 2024.
The new Permanent Deacon in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon was surrounded by friends and family — including his wife Maureen — for the joyful celebration held at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon.
With the laying on of hands in prayer and blessing, Bishop Mark Hagemoen ordained Nicholas Blom to the Sacred Order of Deacons. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Blom is the second man to be ordained to the permanent diaconate in the history of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, after Deacon Paul Wheeler, who was ordained at St. Paul’s Hospital chapel on Trinity Sunday, May 26, just two days before his death.
The two Saskatoon men had journeyed together for the past five years in a combined cohort of diaconate candidates from both the Saskatoon and Regina diocese discerning the call to ordination as deacons.
In his homily, Bishop Mark Hagemoen acknowledged Archbishop Donald Bolen of Regina, who several years ago as bishop of Saskatoon began the process of discernment and establishment of the permanent diaconate for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.
“And then rather wonderfully, for our first formation program directed by (diocesan Vicar-General) Fr. Kevin McGee, we made the decision with the invitation of the Archdiocese of Regina and Archbishop Bolen, to join the formation program in Regina,” said Hagemoen, thanking those on the formation team, including Regina theologian Brett Salkeld and Deacon Barry Wood.
Two others who journeyed through that process of discernment and formation over the past five years were ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons in the Archdiocese of Regina on June 14: Deacon Martin Kondzielewski and Deacon Ken Fahlman. At Blom’s ordination in Saskatoon, Kondzielewski and Fahlman vested the new deacon with the stole and dalmatic.
A number of other permanent deacons have served in the diocese of Saskatoon in recent years, but all were ordained in other dioceses before moving here to provide service. One of those permanent deacons – Deacon Donat Davatz, who serves at St. Paul Co-Cathedral in Saskatoon – proclaimed the Gospel at Blom’s ordination.
Permanent deacons at the ordination celebration (left to right): Deacon Donat Davatz of Saskatoon, with Deacon Martin Kondzielewski, Deacon Ken Fahlman, and Deacon Barry Wood of the Archdiocese of Regina. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
As with other Holy Orders, the discernment process for permanent deacons involves both the candidate and the faith community. The permanent diaconate is open to married men 35 years or older, or to single men over 25 years of age. Deacons serve in the ministries of Charity, of the Word, and of the Altar.
Bishop Mark Hagemoen reflected on the role of the deacon in his homily, urging the new deacon to: “make real and present to the world the powerful, healing, and life-giving presence of Jesus Christ.”
“Since you present yourself for the Order of the Diaconate of your own free choice, through quite a journey, you must be like those once chosen by the Apostle for the ministry of charity: a man of good reputation, full of wisdom blessed by the Holy Spirit,” said the bishop. “Firmly planted and grounded in faith, you are to show yourself without blemish and beyond reproach before God and others, as is proper for the ministers of Christ and the stewards of God’s mysteries.”
Reflecting on the scriptures for the vigil of the Solemnity of St. Peter and St. Paul, Hagemoen noted that wherever the new deacon is assigned to serve, he will be called to bring the loving healing presence of the Lord Jesus Christ and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to proclaim and make manifest the great mercy of God.
“It will be making present the mercy of Jesus through your way, your support, your pastoral accompaniment. That will be extremely important as you lead people and show people Christ – including those who know the Lord and those who have not really met him yet,” the bishop said. “Rely on that mercy yourself. It will mean everything in sustaining you, refreshing you, rejuvenating you, reminding you, and holding you.”
“That mercy is a life line for God’s people. It is our lifeline and it is a lifeline for others.”
The new deacon served at the altar during celebration of the Eucharist, accepting the gifts at the offertory and assisting in distribution of Holy Communion.
At the conclusion of the celebration, diocesan Vicar General Kevin McGee, who coordinated the diocesan diaconate formation, offered his words of thanks to Deacon Nicholas Blom, and remembered the journey with the late Deacon Paul Wheeler “who accompanies us from the balcony row of heaven.”
McGee thanked all those who journeyed together in the formation program and Bishop Hagemoen for “honouring and enriching the diocese through your ministry as bishop and in ordaining Nicholas.” He also extended thanks to the choir and to all who participated in pulling together the celebration at the Cathedral of the Holy Family.
In closing remarks, Deacon Nicholas Blom expressed thanks to God for the grace of bringing him to this moment, as well as to the bishop and all who have supported and journeyed with him along the way,
A reception followed, with assistance from volunteers from the Catholic Women’s League and the Knights of Columbus.
Live-stream of Ordination Mass:
What is a Deacon?
(Summary from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Westminster, UK, website)
The Deacon is ordained to serve the Church in a threefold ministry
The Ministry of Charity –
- He is particularly called to serve the poor, the vulnerable and the marginalized.
- He will coordinate the local Church’s response to their needs.
- He will have a special care for matters of social justice.
- He will foster and support parish groups and organizations.
The Ministry of the Word –
- will proclaim the Gospel and sometimes preach at Mass and other religious services.
- He will preside over services other than the Mass.
- He will lead the people in prayer.
- He will officiate at funeral and burial services.
The Ministry of the Altar –
- He will offer service at the altar at Mass assisting the Bishop or Priest.
- He will distribute Holy Communion at Mass, in hospital and in the homes of the sick, the housebound and the dying.
- He will baptize and prepare people for the Sacrament of Baptism.
- He will officiate at marriages and prepare couples for the Sacrament of Marriage.
The Deacon will continue to be a sign of Christ the Servant throughout their lives. Above all, they will be men of faith and prayer, with a desire to serve others for the sake of God’s kingdom. – Roman Catholic Diocese of Westminster, UK, website)
RELATED: The Permanent Diaconate – its identity, functions and prospects – LINK to Vatican document
Photo gallery: LINK
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Kiply Lukan Yaworski is the communications coordinator for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon – rcdos.ca
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