Deacon reports on Rome trip

On the bus from the Rome airport, we met deacons, their wives and their guests from other archdioceses and dioceses (such as New York, Rochester, Buffalo, Rockville Centre, Trenton, Newark and Spokane). These folks would become our close friends -- and spiritual sisters and brothers -- by the end of our trip.

Our trip began in Florence. Tragedy struck, however, as we arrived at Chiesa Santa Trinita (Church of the Holy Trinity) for morning Mass. A few feet in front of us, the wife of a deacon from Louisville collapsed on the sidewalk. Emergency medical services were summoned (and responded in an extremely efficient manner).

While we were worshiping at Mass, the emergency crew worked diligently. But before the Mass was ended, our tour companion had died. It was a sad beginning for our pilgrimage. Our prayers go with her deacon husband and family.

After visiting Florence, Bologna and Padua, we went to Venice. There, I found the necessity of buying a cane to aid my arthritic legs through the remainder of our pilgrimage. We arrived late in Rome, where the significant events of the Deacon Jubilee took place.

The deacons and their wives began Feb. 19 in the Hall of Paul VI with a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Castillon Hoyos, the prefect of the Sacred Congregation of the Clergy. This was followed by a lecture on the diaconate in today's world, after which we celebrated mid-day prayer. Then we were graced by a visit from our Holy Father -- the first of three times we would be privileged to be in his presence.

He echoed what many of the speakers would tell us: that we must remember our diaconal ministry is one of service: the service of the Word, which we must proclaim with joy and conviction; the service of the liturgy, where we assist the bishop and the priest in celebrating the sacred mysteries with the people; and the service of charity, in which we are to reach out to the poor, the marginalized and those who need to hear the message of Jesus.

We returned for further lectures in the afternoon, followed at 6 p.m. by a gathering of deacons in St. Peter's Square. There, vested in alb and stole, we processed through the Holy Door into the great basilica to renew the promises of ordination.

On Sunday the 20th, we proceeded to St. Peter's Basilica to witness the ordination of deacons from around the world. Afterwards, we went to St. Peter's Square for the Pope's weekly appearance at the window of his apartment for the recitation of the Angelus. He then imparted his apostolic benediction to the assembled faithful.

On Sunday afternoon, we visited the Pope's cathedral church -- the mother church of the Catholic world -- St. John Lateran. We then traveled to the Church of St. Peter in Chains, which houses the great statue of Moses by Michelangelo. Under the high altar rest chains reputed to have held Peter when he was a prisoner in Rome.

Next, we traveled to Assisi, the birthplace of the great St. Francis. Overlooking a lush and fertile valley, the Basilica of St. Francis (recently restored after the devastating earthquake of a few years ago) stands atop a hill looking down as if it were a sentinel.

On Tuesday the 22nd, more diaconal events took place outside of Rome at the Santuaria della Madonna del Divino Amore, where the day ended with a Mass celebrated by the papal master of ceremonies, Msgr. Pietro Marini.

Our final full day in Rome was the 23rd. Our bus took us to St. Peter's Square where we would participate in the outdoor papal audience. Considering the thousands gathered in the square, it was a stroke of "buona fortuna" when our Albany group found themselves near the barricade as the Holy Father in his "Popemobile" passed by us twice within a few feet.

We returned to Albany with heartfelt thanks to our God for having let us share the company of wonderful people, all dedicated to His service. Our spirits were renewed, and we returned to our own land -- whether ordained minister or lay person -- inspired to carry out the work of Christ and bring all people to celebrate God's great love for us.

(Editor's note: Deacon Hook ministers at St. Margaret Mary Church in Albany.)

(03-02-00)
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