Seven Candidates Instituted as Lectors in Milestone for Permanent Diaconate Formation

Seven men receive lector institution in Bridgeport

Seven men knelt before Bishop Frank J. Caggiano at St. Augustine Cathedral to receive the permanent ministry of lector, a step toward becoming permanent deacons.

During a pontifical Mass on November 8, the candidates placed their hands on the Bible held by the bishop to signify their commitment to the office, according to a report by the Diocese of Bridgeport.

The Rite of Institution of Lectors marks a formal transition for these men, who are more than halfway through their formation programs. While laypeople are often given permission to read during liturgy, these seven candidates are being installed to exercise the ministry in a permanent, official capacity. This step precedes the ministry of acolyte as they prepare for future service at the altar.

Bishop Caggiano emphasized that the role requires more than simple reading. He told the candidates that they must understand the sacred texts they proclaim to effectively reveal the Word of God to the congregation. To symbolize this responsibility, the bishop presented each man with a Bible.

The diverse lives of the candidates

The group represents a wide array of professional backgrounds and life experiences, illustrating the varied paths that lead to religious service. The candidates instituted as lectors include:

Rite of lector men — Photo: dmdiocese.org

Joshua M. Auxier: A litigation attorney from Westport and member of St. Luke Parish.
Daniel Durante: A senior vice president for a property management company in New York City.
Frantz Lauture: An executive plant manager for the United States Postal Service in Hartford.
Jorge P. Ordonez: A small home improvement business owner from Danbury.
Mark D. Renzi: A general dentist practicing in Newtown.
Alexander Russo: A venture capital partner and former global technology CEO.
Nicholas E. Salazar: A teacher of Greek and Latin in Fairfield County.

For some, the path to this moment involved personal changes. Jorge Ordonez, 47, shared that after moving from Ecuador to the United States as a teenager, he eventually felt he had “hit bottom” before finding his way back through a religious retreat. He noted that since that time, he has felt a constant connection to his faith.

Frantz Lauture, who immigrated from Haiti in 1983, expressed the significance of the rite. “It feels just amazing to enter this Rite of Reader because you are getting to the point where you can proclaim the Word,” Lauture said, noting the support of his wife, Emmanuella, and their family.

A call to spiritual urgency

In his homily, Bishop Caggiano challenged the faithful to consider the urgency of their spiritual lives. He posed a question regarding how one would change their actions if they knew it was their final day on earth, specifically regarding acts of forgiveness and kindness.

“You see, my friends, if you and I had only this day left to live, our entire life could change because suddenly we would be seeing it in the very prism of what our life is all about,” the bishop said.

The bishop used the parable of the foolish virgins to warn against spiritual drowsiness, urging the candidates and the congregation to remain focused through prayer, sacrifice, and the study of Scripture. He reminded the men that they were being installed not merely to perform a task, but “to be something”—specifically, heralds of God’s Word.

Deacon John DiTaranto, the Director of the Diaconate, observed the growth of the men since they entered the formation process. He noted that the candidates have increasingly demonstrated the humility and willingness to serve that are essential to the diaconate.

Nicholas E. Salazar, who was encouraged to consider this vocation a decade ago but only recently entered formation at St. Mary’s in Norwalk, described the opportunity to proclaim the Word as a “tremendous privilege” that can penetrate the hearts of listeners.

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