On Saturday 9 December 2006, two Verbum Dei missionaries, Alfredo Serrano Váquez from Mexico and James McTavish from Scotland were ordained as deacons through the imposition of the hands of Cardinal Anthony Cañizares. The celebration was held in the Basilica of Saint Pancreas in Rome . The mass was concelebrated by Fr Filipe Vaz Pardal, the Superior of the Male missionaries.
 

James writes

”Well we enjoyed the day very much. We were working very hard before it to prepare everything, but as the psalmist reassures us ‘Those who sow in tears will reap with joy'. The celebration went well. One strong moment was the prostration, when Alfredo and I were face down on the ground. I felt very small and little (the greek word for deacon is very similar to the greek word for dust!). In that moment the litany of the saints was being sung. St James, pray for us. St Alfredo pray for us. In my littleness I experienced being supported by the prayers of all the Saints.

Alfredo and I chose this as our theme ‘I will make you a light for the nations, so that my salvation will reach the ends of the earth'. I realised that in the celebration there were people present from the 5 continents. Jesus is faithful to his promises. As I looked I saw people from Iraq, Korea, China, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, Cameroon, Mexico, Italy, Ireland, Ukraine. It really was like the "United Colours of Benetton” but seeing as many of them were priests perhaps it is more appropriate ‘United Colours of Benedict'!

After the ordination we had a buffet and a fiesta. It was a moment after the celebration to relax and to chat. I was so happy that my family were there and had the chance to meet all my friends here in Rome. For the fiesta Alfredo and I shared a testimony and we had Sister Theresa, a Filipino sister singing, as well as our sister Maeve, Federica from Italy and finally Memo (Guillermo) led a group of fellow mexicans with some rousing songs before finishing with an international version of ‘God still calls'.

And now as we begin our diaconate, Alfredo and I are both very happy in our new ministry. We ask for your continued prayers too so that we can be faithful ‘servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God '.