Bishop Iffert reflects on the virtue of hope at deacon rededication vespers

Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

On Aug. 10, deacons from across the diocese gathered with Bishop John Iffert, their wives, fellow clergy, family and friends for solemn vespers at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington. The vespers, celebrated on the Feast of St. Lawrence, Roman martyr and deacon, celebrated the rededication of the deacons to their diaconal promises of obedience, respect and commitment to sharing the word of God.

Bishop Iffert, who led the vespers, addressed the deacons in his homily. He told the story of a man he’d met the day before. George, who was concerned for his son, set up to accompany him in prayer — committing to praying all four sets of mysteries of the Rosary daily.

Bishop Iffert said that George told him that, “Until this point in my life, I never really thought that I ought to be trying to be a saint. … It never really occurred to me that it was something I should be trying to do with my life, or that it was even possible. And now, it’s all I think about.”

“That conversation with that man reminded me of the virtue of hope,” said Bishop Iffert.

“We have to believe that it is possible for us to be saints. We have to believe — and even longing for the desired possibility of being a martyr like Lawrence — that we might be capable of laying our lives down for the poor,” he said.

Speaking more directly to the deacons present, he continued, “We have to believe that it’s capable for all of us here who share in Holy Orders that have been ordained deacons. We have to believe that it’s possible for us to serve the Word of God with our whole heart.”

“Our hope is Christ Jesus the Lord,” Bishop Iffert said. “His charity, his grace, is what makes it possible for us both to know that we might live worthily according to these orders we have receives and that without him, we are almost certain going to fail.”