Bro. Michael Eguino Ordained Deacon

Bro. Michael Eguino

Ordained Deacon

Bro. Michael Eguino, SDB, 29, was ordained a deacon at the Marian Shrine in Haverstraw-Stony Point, N.Y., on May 24.

Bishop Emilio Allué, SDB, auxiliary bishop emeritus of Boston, was the ordaining prelate and preached.

Bro. Mike has been studying theology at Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J., for three years. As immediate preparation for ordination he made a week’s retreat at Stella Maris Retreat Center in Long Branch, N.J.

He made his first profession of vows as a Salesian in 2006 in New York City and his perpetual profession in 2012 (http://sdbnews.blogspot.com/2012/08/normal-0-false-false-false.html). He is a member of the Salesian formation community in Orange, N.J.

Bro. Mike is from the Throgs Neck section of the Bronx, where his family belongs to St. Benedict’s Parish. His parents are Rose and Ubaldo Eguino, and he has three younger siblings: Christine, Matthew, and Stephen. Stephen also is a Salesian seminarian; he made his first profession of vows last year (http://sdbnews.blogspot.com/2013/08/three-sdbs-profess-first-vows.html).

Mike graduated from Salesian HS in New Rochelle in June 2002 and entered the Salesians’ candidacy program in Orange that September. During the three years that he was a candidate in Orange, he worked in the Don Bosco Youth Center affiliated with the Salesian house and Our Lady of the Valley Church.

Bro. Mike made his novitiate in New York City in 2005-2006 with Fr. Bill Keane as master of novices. Two more years of initial formation followed in Orange, including the completion of a B.A. at Seton Hall University.

From 2008 to 2010 Bro. Mike taught world history and theology to freshmen at his alma mater, Salesian HS. He did a third year of practical training at Don Bosco Retreat Center in Haverstraw, assisting with both youth and adult retreats. He says that the program cared for 20,000 people that year. He also helped initiate a regular program of Eucharistic adoration for young adults at the Marian Shrine (to which the Retreat Center is attached). Bro. Mike’s musical talent—he sings and plays guitar—facilitate his apostolic work.

Thirty-one priests, both Salesian and diocesan, concelebrated with Bp. Allué. Numerous other members of the Salesian Family were also present: sisters, brothers, Cooperators, Don Bosco Volunteers, members of the Association of Mary Help of Christians, students and alumni of Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, N.J., and Salesian HS, and Salesian parishioners from Washington, D.C.; Orange, N.J.; New York City; and Port Chester, N.Y., as well as parishioners from St. Benedict’s in the Bronx and the Sisters of St. John the Baptist from Providence Rest nursing home in the Bronx, where Mrs. Eguino works.

Within the ordination rite one or two clergy assist the newly ordained to vest in his proper liturgical vestments. Frs. John Nazzaro, SDB, and Lou Molinelli, SDB, assisted Bro. Mike. He chose Fr. Nazzaro “because he was the director at Salesian High when I was a student. As a student I went into his office as a curious kid while I was waiting to be picked up by my mom after wrestling practice. He welcomed me and we built up a friendship. Also when my father was diagnosed with a brain tumor, post-surgery I was at his bedside every day after school with my mom. Fr. John came to the hospital to visit my father, and the concept of Salesian family made sense and clicked to me at that point. He has witnessed to me a life which is totally dedicated to the young and the giving of oneself even to the point of putting one’s needs aside. Fr. John’s witness during the days after 9/11/2001, going to the city to minister at night to the workers and victims at Ground Zero after a full day of classes is one example of how he manifested this witness.”

Fr. Nazzaro, in fact, issued a specific invitation to student Mike to consider becoming a Salesian.

Fr. Molinelli, says Bro. Mike, “has always been a welcoming presence during my time in formation. His family has supported our family through the tricky tray fundraiser, which I attended yearly to help out. During this experience I got to know his parents, sister, brother-in-law, and nephews. He has also been a support and a listening ear for me during challenging times of my vocation. He also has a love for vocations, which is a love close to my heart, as well.”

Bro. Mike also notes that he’s been privileged to live with some holy Salesians, to live among many men striving to become holy, and to work with some young people who want to be holy.

Preaching, Bp. Allué followed the instruction provided in the Rite of Ordination, which emphasizes the deacon’s triple ministry of word, altar, and charity and the value of celibacy as a gift of self that facilitates one’s service to God’s people.

Bro. Mike doesn’t know where he’ll serve as a deacon in the year ahead. As a deacon he can expect to assist the priest celebrant at Mass, proclaim the gospel reading, help with the distribution of Holy Communion, and occasionally preach the homily. He may also perform Baptisms, bring Communion to the sick, preside over funerals and prayer services, give certain blessings, and witness marriages as the Church’s official minister.

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