On Saturday, December 7th, 2024, three seminarians from the Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Korazin—Lucas Solbach from France, Oscar John Nunez from the Philippines, and Giacomo Pagliariccia from Italy—were ordained as deacons by Msgr. Rafiq Nahra, Patriarchal Vicar of Galilee. Concelebrated by several priests from Galilee and attended by the family members of the candidates, in addition to spiritual chaplains, and the faithful from various parishes and Neocatechumenal communities across the diocese.
In preparation for their diaconal ordination, the three candidates engaged in communal and personal retreats, along with vigil prayers. They then stood before the Church's clergy and faithful and made solemn vows of obedience, celibacy, prayer, and service to God and His people, embracing their role as ministers of the Word. This ordination signifies their unique participation in Christ’s mission, reflecting His role as the servant of all, per the Catechism, "Deacons share in Christ’s mission and grace in a special way. The sacrament of Holy Orders marks them with an imprint (‘character’) which cannot be removed, configuring them to Christ, who made himself the ‘deacon’ or servant of all" (CCC 1570).
In his homily, Msgr. Rafiq Nahra highlighted the significance of the ordination, which coincided with the feast of the Immaculate Conception. He asked Our Lady to guide the new deacons in their service to the Church, encouraging them to take her as an example of faith, humility, and steadfastness in their walk with God. Reflecting on the Gospel reading from Luke 1:26-38, which recounts the Annunciation of the Birth of Jesus to the Virgin Mary, Msgr. Nahra focused on three key points regarding God's call to servanthood and surrender:
First, he emphasized that God prepares individuals long before their ordination. Drawing from St. Paul’s writings, he explained that God chooses and sanctifies each person for a specific purpose, preparing them even before their birth: “..as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him (Ephesians 1:4). He reminded the seminarians that while they may not be perfect, God has made them whole for the calling He has given them, and He will uphold them through their service, as reflected in Psalm 139:10: "Your hand guides me; your right-hand holds me fast."
Second, Msgr. Nahra spoke about the importance of being a servant of God and the Liturgy. He said: "A good servant is, above all, a good listener". While urging the new deacons to remain faithful in prayer, attentively hear the Word of God, and be sensitive to the needs of the people they serve: "With the help of God, you will be able to speak the right words during your homilies, teachings, and Charitable Works".
Finally, Msgr. Nahra reflected on the indispensable role of the Holy Spirit in ministry. “Without the Holy Spirit, it is impossible to fulfill your vocation,” he emphasized to the newly ordained deacons. Drawing inspiration from the day of Pentecost in the book of Acts—when the apostles, filled with boldness, were empowered to proclaim the Word of God—he reminded them that we are all called to seek a daily renewal in the Holy Spirit. This continual filling enables us to bear witness to the Gospel, both in word and in action.
Deacon Oscar John Nunez shared his inspiring journey of discovering his vocation and his hopes as a new deacon with the Media Office of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem:
Before coming to the Holy Land he worked in Dubai, pursuing opportunities to support his family, like many overseas Filipinos. During his time there, he felt a clear calling from the Lord, who revealed a different path to the priesthood through many signs. This marked the start of an eight-year journey of formation, guided by his formators.
Reflecting on his vocation, he said, “ I aspire to live in the 'hope that does not delude,' as the Jubilee 2025 theme expresses, trusting that I walk in God’s will and embracing the freedom of being a beloved child of a caring heavenly Father.” Inspired by the prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola, he seeks the grace to serve God selflessly and love Him as deeply as he has been loved. Receiving Spiritual formation in the Holy Land, where Jesus walked, has been a profound blessing for Deacon Nunez, offering daily opportunities to visit sacred sites, pray, and deepen his faith. He noted that even the challenges of recent years, such as the pandemic and the war, have shaped his journey of following Christ.
The newly ordained deacons now begin their sacred service to the Church by helping to facilitate the spiritual life of the faithful through proclaiming the Word of God, teaching in the name of the Church, and leading God's people in ministries of compassion and justice, all with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and following the example set by Christ and the Virgin Mary.
