ORDINATION TO THE DIACONATE

Alexander Turpin celebrated his Ordination to the Diaconate on May 17 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany. Deacon Turpin, who began his studies at St. Isaac Jogues House of Formation and Pre-Seminary in Albany, is continuing his formation in Rome at the Pontifical North American College and the Pontifical Gregorian University. He will spend the summer serving a parish in the Diocese as a transitional deacon before his Ordination to the Priesthood next year.

“What Alex is doing today is an incredibly brave thing,” said Bishop Edward. B. Scharfenberger during his homily. “To be willing to be called out to this mission, to this service of the diaconate knowing full well that he is not worthy of it, knowing full well that nothing that he’s learned in the seminary is enough to prepare him for this. And even as a human being wondering how he is going to be able to do this.

“We all saw Pope Leo when he first appeared on the veranda and he seemed to be very confident, many people said he seemed to be very much in control. But everything I have read about him and everything he is saying suggests the opposite. That he knows he is not in control. He knows this is not something that he’s earned or possibly could. And he’s probably wondering how the heck I am ever going to be able to do this. 

“But he said yes and Alex is going to say yes. Why? Because he has a deeper source of confidence, not his own ability to define himself but in the love of a God who has chosen him and called him by name. He is not alone in this. Each and every one of us has been called by name. That very fact that we are baptized, we have already been called by God for eternal life.”

As he neared the end of the homily, Bishop looked directly at Turpin and said “(God says) I have called you. I have chosen you and I have sent you into the world that I love. Be the life of Christ, Alex, in the world. Show us by your example what we too can become.”