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Testigos
Fr. Martin Ngo, SJ
University Teacher and Content Specialist, Los Angeles, CA
September 5, 2024

I won’t forget when a priest of the Episcopalian order welcomed a lost little Jesuit novice – me – into her Church in DC circa 2010. Ever since, my soul ached: why not us? Fast forward 10 years. I won’t forget when my academic mentor at BC offered an image to our class of Church as a living, breathing entity that is currently not using both lungs in its current model of hierarchical leadership. Ever since, I thought: why not now? 

Seeing women deacons would serve as a vast, yet strikingly modest, step in the right direction to help loosen the unnecessary (can we say unjust?) thorn in the Church’s side. It would open doors allowing the full range of gifts (of women) to heal, accompany, and refresh others. It would bring about the kind of renewing of spirit that we often pray for in our Church. 

Like my recent endoscopic sinus surgery, a fair amount of bloodshed immediately following the procedure was expected; but to think, I went decades not knowing that breathing properly was supposed to feel this way. 

May the Church be granted tongues of fire (over and again) to shed paralyzing fear like those early apostles in the upper room, allowing the Good Spirit to spring forth that our one Body may practice prophetic love and reconciliation, bridging impossible divisions, and becoming a home that truly empowers all.

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Ser testigos
“I have been blessed with women who have shared their many gifts with me. They have broken open Scripture for the people of God with their own perspective and insight. They have shown ways of leading which empower and confirm the value of each individual person. They have offered perspectives and visions of the Spirit’s call to live God’s love for all.”
Don Highberger, SJ
University Campus Minister and Hospital Pastoral Minister, St. Louis, MO
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Ser testigos
“If I could be ordained a deacon, the people would hear the Good News preached with authority at the pulpit and in the world. For me personally, it would feel like the ability to serve in the manner in which God has put on my heart to serve. As a minister of the word, liturgy and charity, I would preach the word to inspire others to love God and their neighbor. I would continue to bring communion to the sick and imprisoned, but I would also free our priests by taking on some baptisms, weddings, and funeral services that are outside of the Mass. It would feel like the fullness of what I was meant to do.”
Theresa Shepherd-Lukasik
Director of Adult Faith Formation, St. Joseph Parish, Seattle, WA
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Ser testigos
“And when I get antsy waiting, as I often do, I remember the women I met who showed me that the ‘not yet’ is an “already.” Women deacons have existed and continue to exist. Someday, I may be one of them.“
Julia D’Agostino, MDiv
Theology Student, ThM Candidate

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