By Father Peter Choy Wai-man
Two seminarians from the diocese, Joseph Lin Ruoqi and Nicholas Chang Tai-yin, were ordained deacons on September 20 at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Kowloon. Although the weather was quite unstable, alternating between sunny and rainy, it did not dampen the enthusiasm of those attending the ceremony. In addition to the family and friends of the two deacons, choir groups, altar servers, and over a thousand parishioners from several parishes filled the church to capacity. Bishops, priests, and deacons were present, highlighting the importance the Hong Kong Church places on the role of deacon today.
Reflecting on my own experience when I received the diaconate, the Hong Kong diocese was revitalising the significance of the diaconate within the Church. In the past, although the diaconate was the sixth level of Holy Orders, its mission was not clearly defined; it was often seen merely as a transitional stage to the priesthood. An elderly priest once shared that during his priestly career, he served as a deacon for only one day, as he became a priest the very next day; he received the diaconate simply to fulfill Church law. Therefore, at that time, the ceremony for conferring the diaconate was neither public nor did it offer opportunities to fulfill diaconal duties in the parish.
The revival of the diaconate is undoubtedly linked to the diocese’s implementation and establishment of the permanent diaconate. In the early days of the permanent diaconate, parishioners generally did not understand their role and often viewed them as “junior priests” or “senior laypeople.” Thanks to God, after more than 30 years of exploration, the significance of the deacon’s ministry of charitable service has gradually become clear; their presence is not merely a fallback option. They are called to proclaim, serve, and witness to the mission of our Lord Jesus, who “came not to be served, but to serve.”
As I listened attentively to Cardinal Stephen’s homily and gazed at the new deacons at the altar, I was filled with a profound sense of emotion. The existence of the diaconate seems to be a gentle reminder from God to the Church — He desires that we worship not only within the church but also step into the crowd, becoming a bridge of love.
The deacon’s mission is to serve humbly in the liturgy, assisting bishops and priests, and allowing God’s grace to flow in every sacramental moment. Their hands sprinkle baptismal water for infants, witness the covenant of marriage for newlyweds, and offer final blessings for the deceased. These gentle actions allow the faithful to feel the Church’s presence and care at every crucial moment in life.
However, a deacon’s love extends beyond the altar. They enter hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, and impoverished families, bringing the smile of Christ and a listening ear to those most in need of love. Their footsteps traverse every corner of the city, bringing God’s warmth to the lonely, hurting, and forgotten. This service of love makes the Church’s Gospel no longer just words but living action.
Permanent deacons often come from ordinary families and understand the struggles and hardships of life. Their witness shows the faithful that a vocation is not out of reach but rather an invitation that everyone can respond to in their everyday lives. They exemplify with their lives that family, work, and community can also be places for becoming Christ’s brothers and sisters, witnesses of love.
For over thirty years, the revitalisation of the diaconate in the Hong Kong diocese has been a journey filled with tears and hope. Deacons, priests, and laypeople walk hand in hand, transforming the Church into a home filled with love and vitality. The existence of deacons reminds us that the beauty of the Church does not lie in outward splendor but in every heart willing to serve and love. This love is the most precious treasure of the local Church.
