Air Traffic Control Engineer, Anthony Michael Lawrence, was inducted as a Permanent Deacon of the Diaconate in the Roman Catholic Church on Sunday morning, November 16th 2025. The sacred ceremony took place at the local Church of St. Gerards at Wallblake, officiated by Bishop Robert Anthony Llanos of the St. John’s Church in Basseterre, St. Kitts.
The congregation comprised numerous parishioners, for the most part, as well as many friends and well-wishers of Brother Lawrence, who turned out to witness the occasion which marked a significant milestone in the inductee’s Catholic faith.
In presenting an overview of the Ordination process to the congregation, Bishop Llanos explained the duties and responsibilities of Brother Lawrence’s new role: “The church asks that we give a brief explanation as to what we are doing,” the Bishop said, “when we carry out such an ordination as we do today, in respect of our Brother Antony Lawrence.
“Beloved brothers and sisters, since this our son, Anthony, who is your relative and friend is now to be advanced to the Order of Deacons, we consider carefully the nature of the rank in the Church to which he is about to be raised.”
“Strengthened by the gift of the Holy Spirit,” he continued, “Brother Lawrence will help the Bishop and his Priests in the Ministry of the Word, showing himself to be a servant of all. As a Minister of the altar, he will proclaim the gospel, prepare the sacrifice, and distribute the Lord’s body and blood to the faithful.”
“Furthermore,” he added, “it will be his duty, at the Bishop’s direction, to exhort believers and unbelievers alike, and to protect and instruct them in holy doctrine. He will preside over public prayer, administer baptism, assist at and bless marriages, bring communion to the dying, and conduct funeral rites.”
“Consecrated by the laying on of hands,” he continued, “that comes down to us from the apostles and bound more closely to the service of the altar, he will perform works of charity in the name of the Bishop or the Pastor. With the help of God, he is to go about all these duties in such a way that he would be recognized as a disciple of Him who came not to be served but to serve.”
Bishop Llanos then preached a brief sermon relative to a Deacon’s vocation. At this point the Bishop led the inductee in the vows of the Order of the Diaconate, posing to him a series of particular questions relative to his intent to serve, to which he answered “I do.”
Next, the Bishop asked: “Do you resolve to conform your way of life always to the example of Christ of whose body and blood you will be ministering at the altar?” To this, Brother Lawrence responded: “I do with the help of God.”
Finally, the Bishop asked: “Do you promise respect and obedience to me and my successors?” Again, to this Brother Lawrence’s response was “I do.” The Bishop replied: “May God who has begun a good work in you bring it to fulfillment, Amen.”
This segment was followed by an act of surrender demonstrated by Brother Lawrence. As he laid prostate before the altar, the Litany of the Saints were sung by the congregation, led by Sister Shallom Okpoagu-Igbokwe. Then, rising from his surrendered position, Brother Lawrence stood before the Bishop who prayed, in part: “Lord God, mercifully hear our prayers… Sanctify by your blessing this man we present, for in our judgment we believe he is worthy to exercise sacred ministries through Christ our Lord, Amen.”
With the laying on of the Bishop’s hands upon Brother Anthony’s head, the Prayer of Ordination was offered, and Brother Anthony Michael Lawrence was set forth as a Deacon of the Catholic Church. His wife, Wenonah, assisted him in fitting on the sacred stole. Later she was accompanied by her mother, Mary, as they sung Bart Millard’s “I can Only Imagine” on Brother Lawrence’s behalf.
