The two Redemptorists, Br. Kacper Grabowski and Br. Stanisław Stańczyk, were ordained deacons by the laying on of hands of Bishop Andrzej Iwanecki, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Gliwice, during the solemn Eucharistic celebration held on September 28, 2025, at the Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Krakow.
As the Rite of Ordination of Deacons states, those preparing for this ministry,” strengthened by the gift of the Holy Spirit, will assist the bishop and his priests in the service of the Word, the altar, and charity, making themselves servants of all. As ministers of the altar, they will proclaim the Gospel, prepare the Eucharistic Sacrifice, and distribute the Body and Blood of the Lord to the faithful.”
During his homily, the bishop emphasized that the greatest gift the new deacons can offer to the people to whom they are sent is Jesus Christ himself, present in the Most Holy Eucharist. He also recalled that, in addition to liturgical service, the ordinary duties of deacons include:
- to announce the Word of God to believers and non-believers;
- preside over prayers and celebrations;
- administer solemn Baptism;
- attend the wedding celebration and bless the spouses
- bring Viaticum to the seriously ill;
- preside over funeral rites.
Our brothers, consecrated through the laying on of hands rooted in apostolic tradition, have been enriched with a particular dignity within the ecclesial community. From this moment, Dn. Kacper and Dn. Stanisław are united in a special way to the altar and called to perform works of mercy in the very name of Christ, who “came not to be served, but to serve.”
We hope that the new deacons, with the help of God and the intercession of all the saints, especially the Redemptorist saints and blesseds, may faithfully carry out the tasks entrusted to them by the Church.
Brother Patryk Czajkowski CSsR – Seminario Maggiore Redentorista di Cracovia
Photo: Brother Tomasz Pasieka CSsR, Andrzej Głuc
