Newly ordained Deacon Mark Rucci with Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton and Applecross Parish Priest Fr Nelson Po. Photo: Jamie O’Brien.
Born on 29 May 1969 in Perth, it wasn’t until 33 years later in 2002 that Mark Rucci began a deep search for the truth and an exploration of the richness of the Catholic faith.
Having been ordained to the Diaconate last week by Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton at Applecross Parish on 20 October, Deacon Mark opened up to The eRecord journalist Josh Low about his life, conversion and his hopes for the future.
Deacon Mark explained that while occasionally attending Sunday Mass in his teenage years and twenties, he was by no means a practising Catholic.
“My conversion came when I was 33 years old, when I began asking myself, ‘Jesus died when he was 33, what have I done with my life?’ Deacon Mark said.
“I began the journey searching for the truth, and having a background in engineering, I always had some sense that there was an objective truth. That was what I was seeking for my life.”
Deacon Mark explained that a friend one day began giving him books titled ‘Radio Replies’, a series of books written from the various questions and answers that would come up in a radio program in the first half of the 20th century.
“I read through all the questions and answers in the books and got this sense that the Catholic Church was the place where you could find the fullness of the truth.”
“That was the start of my journey in 2002. By no means at that point did I ever imagine that I would have ended up in the seminary.”
He added that in the early years of exploring the Catholic faith, questions arose in his mind about how he was living his life, wanting to know what was sinful, and how to live a life in conformance with the will of God.
“It wasn’t until the age of 36 that I found out about the Catechism of the Catholic Church, reading it from beginning to end and coming to the realisation that I needed to turn my life around,” he said.
“So with the help of God, I resolved to change my life and follow Christ.”
Deacon Mark was vested as seen here by Fr Armando Carandang (right). Photo: Jamie O’Brien.
After landing his dream job at BHP and owning property which he had always dreamt of having, Deacon Mark said life was good, with the stability the job provided in those five years affording him the opportunity to seek God even more in his everyday life.
“I began going to daily Mass and once I was receiving the Eucharist daily, being in front of the Blessed Sacrament in Eucharistic Adoration and spending more time in prayer, there was a sort of ‘second transformation’ that was happening within me.
“I began contemplating my situation in life. I had a 1600 square metre property, a highly paid job and enjoyed many material things, but would think, ‘How can I have all of this when so many have nothing?’
“I got the sense that God was asking for it back, just like in the Book of Job – where the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.
From about the end of 2008 his spiritual restlessness began again. Under the guidance of his spiritual director and with the prayer and aid of close friends, Deacon Mark said he began to feel the call to the priesthood.
Part of his formation during his years in the seminary saw him study at the Pontifical Beda College in Rome.
“The three years spent in Rome at the Pontifical Beda College were of great benefit, as I received a really good education and had the opportunity to attend Pontifical celebrations,” Deacon Mark said.
“It was such an enriching experience to be in and around the heart of Catholicism. This together with the last semester back at St Charles’ Seminary in Guildford to complete my formation are the highlights of my time preparing for the priesthood.”
Deacon Mark said Jesus’ example of coming with love first, engaging with people by showing love, and then encouraging them to turn their lives around is what he aspires to imitate.
He explained that in the past, he would use the excuse ‘Jesus says come as you are’ to justify actions, but now hopes his experiences in coming to know the truth may be of benefit in the future as an effective witness.
“I believe there is a reasonable and rational basis for Catholic teaching and I hope to be able to present that truth with love to all I come across.
“There is no love without truth; I realised along the way that truth without love is a sledgehammer, while love without truth is disordered.”
“Now I see that coming as I was also meant that I had to make an effort to change for the future and progress in a relationship with Christ, instead of staying in the same spot,” he said.
“When I think of the future, I pray that God will fill me with the grace to walk with people, listen with empathy and help each individual strive for the path of holiness, following in Christ’s example; to respond in service to all people who in the depths of their hearts I believe are seeking beauty, truth and goodness,” he concluded.