Archbishop Lori preaches on Saint Damien at ordination of 4 deacons

His Excellency the Most Reverend William E. Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore, ordained four men to the Order of Deacons last Saturday on the memorial of Saint Damien of Moloka'i. In his homily, Archbishop Lori noted that "the feast day of Saint Damien is the day he uttered a heroic, generous 'yes' to God’s specific plan for him. And through God’s grace and through his generosity, this mission made him a saint."

Connecting the life of the Leper Priest to the four men about to be ordained, His Excellency said:

In undertaking this ministry, you will entrust yourselves completely to God’s providence, which is the safest place you could possibly be. God has called you to this, and, as we see so clearly in the life of Saint Damien, God’s providence would never lead you to where his grace would not sustain you. This is why, in the words of the immortal Dante, “In His will is our peace.”

From this day forward, may Saint Damien be your special intercessor, advocate, and friend in Heaven. May his prayers deepen within each of you a capacity and a love for humble service, flowing from an ever-deeper friendship with Christ in the Holy Eucharist.

The entire homily is brief and worth a read.