Newly-ordained Deacons Jose Luis Rodriguez, left, and Michael Engel lead a group of seven men ordained to the permanent diaconate in the recessional following their ordination Mass at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul Dec. 4. DAVE HRBACEK | THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Noting a common call to be servants in the readings chosen for the ordination Mass of seven men to the permanent diaconate Dec. 4, Archbishop Bernard Hebda encouraged them as well to know Jesus’ love while acting in mercy for the glory of God, pointing “only to the face of Christ. Only Jesus.” 

With the seven men seated before him in the sanctuary for the homily at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul, Archbishop Hebda said his discernment to the priesthood included a beloved spiritual adviser reminding him of the story of the rich man who asked Jesus what he had to do to inherit eternal life. Jesus’ request that the rich man sell everything and follow him was a tremendous “ask,” the archbishop said. But as a seminarian, he was encouraged to concentrate more on the manner in which Jesus spoke. “Jesus, looking at him, loved him.” 

“My hope for you is you already have experienced Jesus’ loving gaze,” the archbishop said. “I am trusting that you have seen that loving gaze in your spouse or family members who have supported you” and in the eyes of those they already have served. 

“It is that loving gaze that will sustain you as you pour out your lives,” Archbishop Hebda said. 

Deacon Adelmo Gracia gives a blessing to his wife, Yadira, after the ordination Mass. DAVE HRBACEK | THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

The call to serve one another is for all people, laity and clergy, the archbishop said. But as examples, “gentlemen, we will look to you, in your radical service.”  

Service at the altar, with the Word, in charity, in parishes, hospitals, nursing homes or jails, in whatever ministry to which they are summoned, “we, the body of Christ, are going to be counting on you,” the archbishop said.  

The men also should remember that their call to ministry arises out of the mercy God has shown them, Archbishop Hebda said. They must serve with humility, never preaching themselves but always giving glory to God and pointing only to Jesus, he said.  

The seven ordained men were Deacons Michael Braun of Presentation of the Virgin Mary, Maplewood; Michael Engel of St. Michael, St. Michael; Adelmo Gracia of Assumption, Richfield; Philip Grisez of Our Lady of Grace, Edina; Michael Lane of Holy Spirit, St. Paul; Jose Luis Rodriguez of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, Minneapolis and Victor Susai, Pax Christi, Eden Prairie.