WASHINGTON — With the hint of incense and anticipation in the air, the Eucharistic celebration of the diaconate ordination of Lawrence Anderson, OFM, and David Phan, OFM, began at 10 a.m. on Sept. 5 here. Gathering in the crypt church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the friar community, friends and family joyfully sang the alleluias of the familiar hymn All Creatures of Our God and King.
Auxiliary Bishop Martin Holley of Washington was celebrant and homilist, quoting the writings of St. Francis of Assisi in his exhortation to Larry and David to live lives worthy of their Franciscan vocation.
Sr. Chuong Phan, LHC, sister of David, and Paul Keenan, OFM, from the Holy Name College community, proclaimed the readings. Deacon Michael Thang’wah, FMH, also a resident of Holy Name College, proclaimed the Gospel.
Daniel Horan, OFM, and I provided the music along with the choir of Our Lady of Vietnam Parish in nearby Silver Spring, Md., which sang in Vietnamese.
The deacons were ordained by the laying on of hands and prayer of consecration, and were vested in stole and dalmatic by Francis Di Spigno, OFM, director of post-novitiate formation, and Ronald Stark, OFM, assistant director of post-novitiate formation.
The new deacons then took their places beside the bishop, assisting in the remainder of the celebration of the Eucharist. The gifts were presented by David’s parents, Dien and My Phan, and by Fred Dilger, OFM, a profession classmate of Larry.
As the celebration came to a close, Larry and David went out to “be hope for the hopeless so hatred and blindness will be no more,” in the words of the final song.
Francis offered words of thanks toward the end the of Eucharist. A reception, attended by approximately 150 people, was held at Holy Name College in Silver Spring. Bishop Holley was gracious enough to take time out of his schedule to join in the post-ordination celebration.
Larry, at left in photo, will continue his ministry at St. Mary’s Parish in Pompton Lakes, N.J., and David will continue his studies at Washington Theological Union. They both anticipate being ordained to the priesthood in May 2010 at St. Francis of Assisi Church in New York City.
— Br. Timothy is a student at Washington Theological Union. He served as a cantor at the diaconate ordination.