The Third Week of Advent was truly one filled with joy as Br John Joseph Martin LEB from the Little Eucharistic Brothers of Divine Will was ordained to the Diaconate by Hobart Archbishop Julian Porteous at St James Church, Cygnet, Hobart, on 13 December.
The Little Eucharistic Brothers of Divine Will (LEB) are an Australian contemplative community of consecrated brothers, under the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Hobart.
Formally established on May 13th 2013, and granted ad experimentum canonical status as a Public Association of Christ’s Faithful of diocesan right, in the Archdiocese of Hobart on the 12th March 2021, the LEB live according to their canonically approved statutes.
The day of ordination belonged to the Church, the newly ordained deacon emphasised in his address after Mass, thanking the many who had been involved in his journey from its very beginning in Perth, Western Australia.
“It really is a great honour and joy to be ordained to the Diaconate in anticipation for, God be so pleased, the priesthood.
“This marks the dawning of a day I have anticipated since childhood,” he said.
“So many of you have been praying for me, supporting me, and encouraging me in my vocation. I thank you all.
Expressing his gratitude to his parents, siblings, family, Brs Gilbert and Stephen, and the many who have been part of his journey from its very beginning, Deacon John Joseph made a special note of thanks to Archbishop Julian.
“I cannot express how grateful I am for your fatherly generosity to me, and support. Your Grace, my gratitude to you runs very deep.”
He concluded by asking for continued prayers as he begins to exercise his sacred ministry.
“Forgive me if I have failed to express it today or in the past, but you are all in my heart and… even better, are we not all in the Heart of Christ—and a visible proof of this is manifest in our gathering on this night,” he said.
In his homily, Archbishop Julian referenced the words of St Paul from the Second Reading, encouraging Br John Joseph to be an example to all, always ready to witness to what has inspired his way of life.
“Br John Joseph, your spiritual path has led you to enter a small community of brothers who have Eucharistic Adoration at their heart.
“This life which is founded in prayer flows over into a simple life of fraternity. From this basis of prayer and fraternity you make yourself available for ministry, built on relationships you form with people with whom you come into contact.
“Be always ready to witness to what has inspired your way of life. Witness to the Lord whom you desire to be with in silent adoration.
“Witness to the love of God which is available to all who turn to him. Witness to the truth of the Gospel message that salvation is found in Jesus Christ. Witness to the Church which offers the path to true human life and is the source of redeeming grace.
“As the Gospel verse expressed: ‘Go and teach all people my Gospel’, noting that it added, ‘I am with you always, until the end of the world’,” Archbishop Julian concluded.
