Friar Reto is Ordained to the Diaconate

Friar Reto Davatz's ordination to the diaconate

As of last Saturday, Friar Reto Davatz, OFM Conv. is a deacon. His ordination to the diaconate took place at San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio, Texas. The Most Rev. Bishop Oscar Cantu was the presider. Friar Reto’s father is also a deacon. He played an active role in the ceremony, vesting his son with the stole and dalmatic. A stole is a strip of cloth worn around the neck by priests and deacons; while a dalmatic is a deacon’s tunic.

To celebrate Friar Reto’s ordination to the diaconate the friars went out to one of San Antonio’s Mexican restaurants for lunch. Later the Oblates of Mary Immaculate  - one of whom had been ordained to the diaconate with Friar Reto  - had the friars over at their formation house for a celebration.

Friar Reto Davatz (third from the right)

As a deacon, Friar Reto while continuing to follow the Gospel, will preach and officiate marriages. He will also perform baptisms, which is precisely what he did a day after his ordination. At Christ the King Church, Friar Reto baptized seven people.

(Source of all related images on webpage and homepage: Conventual Franciscans.)