|
Back to Table of Contents
Brother Frowin Reed ordained transitional deacon
by Christopher Anadale
Brother Frowin Reed was ordained to the transitional diaconate by Bishop Robert Finn at Conception Abbey on May 10.
 Brother Frowin, who shares his name with the founder and first abbot of Conception Abbey, first came to Conception as a seminarian for the Diocese of Knoxville. He entered the Benedictine novitiate in 1996, and made solemn vows in 2000. For the past three years, he has studied theology at St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Pa. He will be ordained to the priesthood in the next year.
In his homily, Bishop Finn spoke about the significance of the office of deacon and the sources of holiness that sustain God's servants.
“The deacon serves in the name of Christ and in the place of Jesus Christ. Our Lord desires this identification with himself in the ministry of those called to serve,” he said. This identification with Christ extends even to the total self-sacrifice of the Cross.
Brother Frowin lies prostrate in front of the altar at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception during his ordination to the transitional diaconate on May 10.
Noting that the title “diakonos” means servant, Bishop Finn said that Brother Frowin has already responded to God's call by his profession of monastic vows.
This consecration of self unites the vowed religious person to Christ, he said.
“In taking on Christ he becomes a new creation. But this newness of life -- which happens after the model of the risen Lord himself -- requires a complete giving: dying to self and rising in and with Jesus Christ.” In taking Holy Orders, Brother Frowin has chosen to respond to this call completely, the bishop said.
“As a minister of charity, the deacon distributes the goods of this world for the hope of God's people, and he does so with a supernatural motive -- the love of Jesus Christ,” Bishop Finn said. “Even more than serving the material needs of the people, the deacon is called to minister to the spiritual hunger and thirst of human souls.
“Our dear brother Frowin has heard this call. Jesus Christ has spoken to his heart. He has chosen him as his own instrument for spreading the Gospel. The church confirms this call.”
Bishop Finn advised Brother Frowin to seek spiritual nourishment in daily Eucharist and Liturgy of the Hours, and in God's Word, “given to us not only in the sacred Scriptures but also in the church's magisterium.”
“Let your devotion to Mary, our mother and queen, and to St. Joseph, patron of the universal church, to St. Benedict and all your holy patrons, deepen your love for our Lord, Jesus Christ. Ask them to guide you in your sacred ministry on a path toward heaven.”
Brother Frowin expressed his gratitude after the ceremony.
“I feel very blessed to be ordained for Conception and to be ordained by Bishop Finn,” he said.
We welcome your comments:
communications@conception.edu
www.conceptionabbey.org
Back to Table of Contents
|
