Monsignor Investiture

[maryjk]

What happens?

Is it really for everyone, or just family and close friends?

Our Priest will be invested tonight. Wondering if I should drive the hour with my son. Just wondering about the ceremony and such. Is it something that my 11 year old would remember in years to come?

 

[introibo]

I think it’s a pretty simple service. The ranks of the “Monsignors” are honorific titles, and are officially imposed the moment the Pope publishes the decree making the appointments public. Our diocese had a ceremony investing the new monsignors a few months ago and it was a simple service at Evening Prayer. Not much ceremonial as there would be at the ordination of a bishop. Any ceremony such as this might be a spark to inspire a vocation, though- take your son! It’s not an event that happens very often, regardless of its form- take advantage of it! Have a great time!

 

[puzzleannie]

went last year for several priests of the diocese, it was done during Evening Prayer at a large church nearby. Simply a beautiful service, exactly as Vespers should be done. It is a matter of reading the papal proclamation of the honor being bestowed and presenting the symbols of the honor. Took about an hour, the party afterward was great. The entire diocese was invited, although most of those attending were parishioners of the priests being honored.

If you get a chance to attend an ordination, do it, my first was also last year, simply put there is nothing like it, and the entire liturgy is catechisis on the nature and role of the prieshood.

 

[maryjk]

Well, we went.

And to quote my son, “that was cool.” I think the best part was the Arch Bishop’s homily. Then was meeting the Arch Bishop at the reception after Mass. Again, to quote my son, “I think I melted inside.”

So, it was great that I took him. Although I don’t know about a vocation. It would be fine with me, but he tells me that he wants to be married and be a Deacon. We’ll see what God calls him to do.

 

[BlestOne]

Well, we went.

And to quote my son, “that was cool.” I think the best part was the Arch Bishop’s homily. Then was meeting the Arch Bishop at the reception after Mass. Again, to quote my son, “I think I melted inside.”

So, it was great that I took him. Although I don’t know about a vocation. It would be fine with me, but he tells me that he wants to be married and be a Deacon. We’ll see what God calls him to do.

I am glad your son had such a positive experience. I have to say though… I am wondering about the married deacon thing though. Both my sons ages 19 &17 have talked about this too. I am wondering if this is a new trend. Kinda like they want to serve but they don’t want to give anything up… Please don’t take this wrong, I am not criticizing, I am confused that so many are considering the Deaconate but not the priesthood.

 

[Titus]

I am glad your son had such a positive experience. I have to say though… I am wondering about the married deacon thing though. Both my sons ages 19 &17 have talked about this too. I am wondering if this is a new trend. Kinda like they want to serve but they don’t want to give anything up… Please don’t take this wrong, I am not criticizing, I am confused that so many are considering the Deaconate but not the priesthood.

The permanent diaconate is an important ministry in the church, especially in places where there may no longer be a resident priest, and should be encouraged. As for men considering it rather than the priesthood, you are right. However I have always felt that if the man had a true vocation to the priesthood, the permanent diaconate would never fill the gap left by missing that vocation- the diaconate must be a vocation in its own right, not a halfway house for those who wanted to be priests but couldn’t stomach celibacy.