A 76-year-old man, despite being wheelchair-bound, continues to serve God. The man's dedication to his faith is evident in his continued service. His commitment highlights the importance of faith and service regardless of physical limitations.
4 months ago
Reynaldo José Osorio Muñoz, a 76-year-old man who is wheelchair-bound, serves as an acolyte at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish in the Diocese of Santa Marta, Colombia 2. Despite his age and physical limitations, Osorio is deeply committed to his role, which he has held for a year 2. He views his service as a "very beautiful thing" that he never anticipated, expressing profound love and appreciation for his duties at the altar 2.
Osorio resides at the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Senior Citizen Wellness Center, a Christian institution dedicated to providing comprehensive care for vulnerable seniors, including meals, medical attention, recreational activities, and spiritual formation 2. His involvement in the church began modestly, by ringing the bell to signal the start of Mass for his fellow residents 2. This initial act of service gradually evolved into a more significant commitment at the altar, fostered by the trust of a priest 2.
According to the Colombian Bishops’ Conference, an acolyte's responsibilities include attending to the altar, assisting the priest and deacon, and participating in various processions 2. Specific tasks can involve handling incense, managing liturgical books, preparing the altar, purifying sacred vessels, assisting during the offertory, distributing Communion as an extraordinary minister, and exposing and reserving the Blessed Sacrament (though not imparting the blessing) 2. Beyond these practical duties, the ministry demands a deep love for the sacraments, Eucharistic worship, a spirit of self-offering, and a commitment to caring for others, particularly the needy and the sick 2.
Osorio emphasizes his profound devotion and belief in God, stating that divine enlightenment guides his service, which he performs "with all the love, with all the enjoyment, with everything I can manage to do" 2. He feels "satisfied" knowing he serves God, the Church, and his fellow residents 2. The parish priest, Father Mario Rafael González García, highlights Osorio's cheerful, dynamic, and faithful character, noting that his physical "limitations" do not define him 2. Osorio's dedication serves as a powerful example of the "revolution of gratitude and care" for the elderly, a call made by Pope Leo XIV on the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly 2. Father González expresses gratitude for Osorio's inspiring witness of faith and care in his old age 2.
What is the Church's teaching on service?
The Church's teaching on service, or diakonia, is deeply rooted in the example and teachings of Jesus Christ, who came "not to be served but to serve" . This concept of service is fundamental to Christian existence and the mission of the Church itself .
Jesus Christ is the ultimate model of diakonia . He "emptied himself, taking the form of a slave" and became "obedient to death, even death on a cross" . His entire life, from the manger to the cross, exemplifies God's love for humanity through service . He taught that true leadership is service, stating, "whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all" . This is evident in His washing of the disciples' feet, an act that serves as an example for all Christians to follow .
Being a Christian means sharing in the diakonia that God Himself fulfilled for humanity . Through Baptism, every Christian receives the "power of service" (diakonein), enabling them to cooperate in Christ's service for the salvation of mankind . Christians are called to be servants of one another, using their charisms for the building up of the Church and their brethren in faith and love . This service is not a secondary aspect but an essential dimension of Christian being .
Christian service can manifest in various forms of fraternal charity :
The Church, imitating Christ, performs her mission (apostolate) through service (diakonia) . Her highest calling is not to dominate but to help others, serving the poor, the sick, and the destitute without striving for influence or material gain .
For those in ordained ministry, particularly deacons, selfless service is an essential dimension of their being . Deacons are configured to Christ in His servant role and are meant to be living signs of the servanthood of the Church . Their ministry of the word, the altar, and charity are inseparably joined together in the service of God's redemptive plan, leading from the word of God to Eucharistic worship and then to acts of charity .
Theological dialogues emphasize that authority and service are closely interrelated in the Church . Authority, exercised in the name of Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit, must be a service of love, just as Christ's was . This means that leadership in the Church is a leadership of service, not domination .
In essence, the Church's teaching on service is a call for all Christians to imitate Christ's self-emptying love and dedication to others. It is a fundamental aspect of Christian identity, expressed through various acts of charity and integral to the Church's mission and the exercise of authority within her.