Chaldean Seminarians Take Next Step Towards Priesthood

On Sunday, December 10, the Chaldean community gathered as four Sacred Heart Major Seminary seminarians were ordained by the Most Rev. Francis Y. Kalabat, bishop of the Chaldean Eparchy of St. Thomas the Apostle. Rodney Abasso and Perrin Atisha were ordained to the Subdiaconate while Kevin Yono and Marcus Shammami were ordained as Lectors. In the Chaldean Rite, the ministries of lector and subdiaconate are seen as minor orders. The duties of a lector and subdeacon are similar to those in the ministries of lector and acolyte in the Roman Rite.

Fellow Sacred Heart seminarians joined in this great celebration, which took place at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chaldean Church in Warren, Michigan. The Church was filled with over 1,200 people singing hymns and prayers in Aramaic and Arabic. Kevin and Marcus processed in wearing suits while holding their alb and cincture, symbolizing putting off the old self and preparing to put on the new life. (The alb is a long white tunic; the cincture a rope-like belt.)  As they approached the altar, Bishop Francis began the ordination by cutting a piece of their hair, vesting them with their alb, and placing the cincture around their waist.

Rodney and Perrin processed in carrying a stole in their hands. The stole symbolizes the authority given to them by Christ, through the Church, to assist at the altar and liturgical functions. The stoles were then wrapped around their necks during the ordination. The Church was filled with great joy as these men witnessed to the call of God in their lives.

We would like to congratulate our new lectors and subdeacons and the entire Chaldean Church. Let us continue to pray that God may send more laborers into his vineyard.