Last Saturday, May 2, 2026, the Redemptorist Province of Europe South experienced a day of profound joy and hope with the ordination to the diaconate of José Daniel Torrubia Sánchez CSsR. The celebration took place in the parish of the Most Holy Redeemer in Seville, where the youth of the parish had already organized a prayer vigil the previous evening to accompany Daniel and pray for his vocation.
The Eucharist was presided over by the Auxiliary Bishop of Seville, Most Rev. Teodoro León Muñoz, and was attended by the Provincial of Europe South, Fr. Gennaro Sorrentino CSsR, along with the Provincial Councilors Fr. Francisco Caballero CSsR and Fr. Alberto Eseverri CSsR, as well as numerous confreres, family, and friends. It was a deeply heartfelt celebration, in which Daniel’s emotion was contagious and reached everyone present.
Providentially, the Word of God that Sunday evoked the institution of deacons in the Acts of the Apostles. In his homily, the bishop emphasized that the diaconate is not just a step toward the priesthood, but an attitude that must characterize one’s entire ministerial life.
He invited Daniel to authentically live the three dimensions of the diaconal ministry—the service of the Word, of worship, and of charity—embodying them in his Redemptorist vocation. He particularly emphasized the centrality of charity, which encompasses everything and makes Christ the way, the truth, and the life, just as the Gospel tells us. The parish youth choir accompanied the celebration with its songs, contributing to an atmosphere of reflection and shared joy.
At the end of the Eucharist, the provincial thanked the bishop for his presence and Daniel’s family for accompanying him on his vocational journey. He also expressed gratitude to his formators and to the entire Redemptorist family for the support he received during his years of formation. Addressing the new deacon, he encouraged him to continue to grow in the footsteps of the Redeemer, keeping his gaze fixed on the example of Saint Gerard, especially in this year marking the tercentenary of his birth.
For his part, Daniel expressed profound gratitude to God for the gift of his vocation, his Congregation, and his friendship. He thanked everyone present, in whom he recognized the Church that prays and intercedes for him, and the parish community of Seville that has supported him and in which he will now serve as deacon. One of the most moving moments was when he turned to his family, thanking them for their constant support, even from a distance. After the celebration, we shared a simple fraternal agape in the parish courtyard, lovingly prepared by parish groups.
We thank the community of Seville for their welcome and dedication, as well as all those who, though unable to be present, accompanied Daniel with their prayers. It is a joy for the entire Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer to be able to count on a new deacon who continues his journey toward the priesthood. We entrust Daniel to the intercession of the Mother of Perpetual Help, Saint Alphonsus, and all the Redemptorist saints and blesseds, so that in his diaconal ministry he may continue to proclaim abundant redemption.
Francesco di Lorenzo, CSsR.
