I was on the diaconate formation board for the Diocese of Cheyenne when these men began their journey. It seems like a lifetime ago. Thank you for your perseverance and your willingness to say "yes" to God's call in your life.
I was ordained in 1999. Although that was a long time ago, I still remember the most moving part of the ordination ritual for me. It was when Archbishop (now Cardinal) Rigali handed me the Book of the Gospels and said, "Receive the Gospel of Christ whose herald you now are. Believe what you read. Teach what you believe. Practice what you teach." The weight of the responsibility hit me at that moment, and it has stuck with me ever since.
These six men have the capacity to serve the Church well. Being ordained on the Feast of The Exaltation of the Holy Cross is a prominent feature as well. May each of you unite your sufferings to the cross of Christ, and bring healing to God's people in a profound way through your ministry!