Jorge Armando Morales Trejo, C.S.C., was ordained a Holy Cross deacon on Friday, Oct. 11, 2013, atParroquiaNuestra Madre Santisima de La Luzin Guadalupe, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
Archbishop Rogelio Cabrera Lopez of Monterrey ordained Armando to the diaconate during an evening Mass at La Luz parish, which is served by Holy Cross priests and sisters. La Luz is one of two U.S. Province parish ministries in Mexico.
Rev. Mr. Jorge Armando MoralesTrejo, C.S.C., was received into the Congregation of Holy Cross on Jan. 6, 2008, and professed First Vows on Jan. 6, 2009. He made his Final Profession of Vows on March 19, 2012. His Ordination to the priesthood is expected in 2014.
Rev. Thomas J. O’Hara, C.S.C., provincial superior of the United States Province, and Rev. James E. McDonald, C.S.C., assistant provincial and steward, as well as about 15 Holy Cross priests from the United States, Chile, Peru and other parts of Mexico, concelebrated at Armando’s Diaconate Ordination Mass. Holy Cross religious brothers and sisters were also present. A chartered bus from Queretaro, Mexico brought40 members of Deacon Armando’s family so they could celebrate with their son and brother during this sacred moment in his life. About 600 parishioners, friends and members of Family Rosary Intl. in Mexico filled La Luz for the Mass and the parish hall for the dinner that followed.
Fr. O’Hara said Archbishop Cabrera emphasized “severlal times that the service of the deacon at the table of the Lord is tied to the deacon’s service at the table of the poor. One without the other is incomplete. He spoke of the transitional diaconate, not as a step in an ‘ascent’ to the priesthood or the episcopacy, but as a cumulative process of grace that, hopefully, would endure throughout all of the orders one might receive. As he preached, I think all of us realized it was a moment of grace in an area of Mexico that not long ago was known for its violence and bloodshed.”
Deacon Armando is a full-time student in his fourth year of theology at the Franciscan Institute of Theology in San Pedro, Nuevo Leon. He plans to graduate in May, receiving his degree from the Pontifical University Antonianum in Rome, with which the Franciscan Institute is affiliated.
Deacon Armandowill serve in weekend ministry in La Luz parish, where he began his diaconal service over this pastweekend — theweekend of his Ordination—preaching at two Masses, conducting two Sunday services in the absence of a priest for the San Matias chapel community and baptizing seven children! Deacon Armando’s principle ministry for the year will be the pre-Baptismal preparation program for parents and sponsors.
Please pray for Armando during his year of service as a deacon, he is grateful for your spiritual support in his response to God’s call with the Congregation of Holy Cross.
