By Joe Pisani

BRIDGEPORT—Three different men took three different paths in life and ended up at the same destination—serving as servants of the Servant, Jesus Christ.

Michael John Anthony Crane, Andres Felipe Grajales and Martin Rodriguez were ordained as permanent deacons in a Solemn Pontifical Mass on June 20, joined by close to 500 clergy, faithful and family members.

Bishop Frank J. Caggiano told the packed St. Augustine Cathedral: “Today in a special way, we gather around three brothers, and we give thanks to Almighty God for them, for the men that they are, have become and will continue to become. For the fact that they stand in our midst as husbands, fathers, grandfathers, fellow disciples, colleagues and coworkers who have gone on this extraordinary journey.”

The bishop told the candidates that Christ was with them “in the struggles of life, in the twists and turns of life, in the trials of life, and his blessing helped you to understand that you were not meant to walk in this life alone, so he helped you to discern the woman who was chosen for you to be your soulmate, your fortress, your guide, your rock and your companion unto eternal life.”

He praised their wives for helping them pursue their calling and added, “We can say clearly to everyone here that without the love of your lives, you would not be here, and they will be at your side to help you do what the Lord has asked you to do.”

As deacons they are called to be Servants of the Word, Servants of the Altar and Servants of Charity, successors of those first seven deacons chosen to assist the Apostles in the early Church. 

He told the candidates their ministry will “be in the trenches of life, accompanying people and serving them in their hours of challenge, in their hours of joy as you walk with the people of God.”

However, he differentiated their service from the concept of service in the secular world.

“My friends, in our world, when we hear the word ‘service,’ we think of an act rendered to someone else,” the bishop said. “There are many who are employed simply to serve, and they are paid to do that. Then, there are those who offer service, that is an act of good for a good cause. There are many who will serve others, but that’s not what we’re about here today. The service you are called to enter into is to build the Kingdom of God on Earth, one person at a time, so that in the name of Jesus, you will be a coworker with him.”

He said we live in a sinful, self-absorbed world, and that they would pour out their lives for others, and by walking with them, they will change many lives in Jesus’ name.

He urged them to call upon Our Lady and stay close to her, especially if they should become confused, doubtful, or discouraged, “because she is the one who knows what it means to serve.”

“She will always be with you, even in those moments when you are exhausted or maybe even question,” he said. “Turn to her. She will guide you back to this great moment so that your ‘yes’ will echo and re-echo through the ages as you become a living sacrament of Christian service.”

After the homily, the bishop questioned each candidate to declare his resolve in accepting the duties of the diaconate. The assembly then prayed the Litany of Supplication, followed by the Laying On of Hands, during which the candidates knelt before the bishop, who as a Successor of the Apostles, laid his hands upon their heads. Then, he said the Prayer of Ordination, invoking the Holy Spirit, thus completing the Sacrament of Holy Orders in the Diaconal Order.

The newly ordained deacons were vested with a diaconal stole and dalmatic and knelt before the bishop to receive the Book of the Gospels and a fraternal kiss from the bishop and fellow deacons.

At the conclusion of the Mass, Bishop Caggiano and the entire church applauded the men, their wives and children for the sacrifices they made.

Deacon Andres Grajales was assigned to Sacred Heart Church in Stamford,

Deacon Michael Crane to St. Aloysius in New Canaan and Deacon Martin Rodriguez to the Cathedral Parish in Bridgeport.

Deacon John DiTaranto, Director of the Diaconate, whom the bishop thanked for his service in the men’s formation, said: “It is an absolute joy for me to witness the ordination to the Order of Deacon for Michael, Andres and Martin. I have been walking this journey of discernment with them over the past four years and have been amazed at the continual growth in the love they have of Our Lord and their wives. Even though I am the Director of the Diaconate, I consider myself less of a director for these men and more of a ‘tour guide’ for their journey, observing and enjoying the many instances when the Holy Spirit has taken the lead.”

Deacon Brad Smythe of St. Joseph Church in Shelton, who celebrated the 15th anniversary of his ordination on June 11, said, “It feels wonderful coming to the diaconate ordination. It always renews my zeal, and it’s such a blessing, especially since I was involved in teaching these guys. I got to know them, and we’re all brothers in Christ.”

Deacon Michael Crane, a retired attorney who was Associate General Counsel of Ernst & Young LLP, reflected on the work of the Holy Spirit in his life and said, “When I look back on my life, I see the moments that God has led me to this ministry, and I know I am blessed to serve the people of God for the rest of my life.”

Deacon Crane, who was appointed Vice-chancellor, praised Bishop Caggiano for the work he has done in the diocese and said, “I cannot imagine a bishop in the United States who is more supportive than Bishop Caggiano. He is leading a renewal in the diocese that is extraordinary, and he has the support of all the deacons.” 

His wife Alycia called it “a long journey that ended with a wonderful and blessed event.”

Deacon Grajales, a supply chain expert and data analytics manager at Coty Inc., said that being ordained a deacon is one of the greatest privileges and blessings of his life. “I am deeply grateful to God for calling and choosing me for this ministry, and I am excited to begin this new chapter of service in the Church,” he said. “I am especially thankful for all the people who walked with us and helped shape us into the men we are today. I am grateful for the opportunity to have completed it and to now put that formation into practice by serving our bishop and the People of God.”

He said that his prayer was simply to be an instrument in God’s hands. “Whatever good the Lord accomplishes through me, may it always lead others closer to Him, and may all the glory be given to God alone.”

His wife Judith said, “It is truly a blessing, and I am now so thankful to the Lord for calling Andres to serve. I am touched by his love and mercy.

Father Arthur Mollenhauer, pastor of the Cathedral Parish, said, “This is a day of great grace for all of us. There are three new deacons for the Church, and we could have no better candidates. We are very blessed.”

Deacon Rodriguez, who is quality director at JV Precision Machine Company in Seymour, said, “It’s amazing. I am so overjoyed and thrilled by all the blessings the Lord has given me.” His wife Leo Flor called his ordination “an amazing blessing from God.”

His cousin and brother-in-law William Orjuela, a parishioner at St. Augustine for 23 years, praised Deacon Rodriguez and said, “He is a really good servant for the people of God. He has helped in the parish for 30 years and always follows the steps of God. I am really happy for him and our family.”

Deacon DiTaranto recalled the opening prayer of the Mass when Bishop Caggiano asked the Lord that “these your servants may be effective in action, gentle in ministry and constant in prayer.” “Today, they begin a new journey,” the deacon said, “to live a life not so much as what they have been asked to do, but more fully in who they have become.”

(For more information about the diaconate program, email Deacon DiTaranto at dnditaranto@diobpt or visit www.bridgeportdiocese.org/diaconate/home.)                          n