Goa: Deacon gets rare honor of accompanying Pope at Christmas Mass

As the world watched and prayed with Pope Francis at the Christmas Mass at the Vatican, Goans were delighted to see one of their own next to the Holy Father during the service. Of all the bishops and priests who prayed at mass with Pope Francis, Deacon Jason Keith Fernandes was given the rare honor of standing to the right of Pope Francis and images of Deacon Fernandes were broadcast around the world. Something that Deacon Fernandes would never have imagined, given that he had joined the seminary as a late vocation, after years of being an acclaimed researcher and completing his doctoral studies. When asked how he got the rare honor of standing at the side of Pope Francis, Deacon Fernandes told The Goan: “It was all really potential!” “I was deacon at the Mass where Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, our Archbishop of Goa and Daman, took possession of his titular church Santa Maria in Via. At the end of the Mass, the Pope MC, who was present to guide the ceremony, suggested that I write to the Office of Pontifical Liturgies for the opportunity to serve as Deacon, recalling Deacon Fernandes, who has his roots in Malar-Diwar. , but he grew up in Panjim. “I thought it was a polite courtesy and I thanked him. Anyway, I wrote to the office, but the email got wrong! However, Providence ensured that it reached the right desk and they wrote back to acknowledge receipt assuring me that they would be in touch whenever they got a chance.” “Once again I assumed that with the large number of individuals requesting this privilege I would never hear from them again (after all, I will only be in Rome until June 2024). So imagine my surprise when, sometime in mid-November – I was on a pilgrimage to Loreto at the time – they contacted me again and asked if I was available to serve as deacon for Midnight Mass. I had already booked my tickets to Lisbon for the Christmas holidays by that time, but I had no hesitation in replying that I would be available!” Deacon Fernandes said their initial reaction was overwhelming. “At the papal Mass, to serve at the papal altar? Who wouldn’t want such an opportunity, or privilege? I, however, decided not to spread this news. After all, prudence is a virtue! What touched me, however, was that some of the friends in seminary whom I told were very happy for me. It was humbling,” said Deacon Fernandes, who is currently in his final year of priestly formation at the Pontifical Beda College, doing final courses in theology, and pastoral care. One would have assumed that there would be intensive preparations and protocols before the Christmas Mass, given that Pope Francis would be presiding over the Mass. But Deacon Fernandes said, “The preparations were actually remarkably simple.” “We did a practice on December 23 at 9.30 am, it lasted for an hour, and another practice on December 24 at 6 pm, an hour and a half before the Mass. I believe the entire operation is based on the fact that everyone involved has a good knowledge of Catholic liturgy.” “In my opinion, what made the whole operation flawless was the way in which the entire mass was divided among the team of the Papal MC. Each MC took charge of a team, and gave us signals as to what to do, and we were accompanied throughout the service,” admitted Deacon Fernandes. One has to really appreciate his efficiency and his mastery of judicious work.” Deacon Fernandes was then asked what it was like to stand with Pope Francis during the service, and what was going through his mind during the service, especially with the entire world watching the service. Deacon Fernandes replied: “Knowing that the whole world is watching can be nerve-wracking, but if you attend every liturgy with care and respect, then if, and when, you get to serve the Pope. “If you get the opportunity, it becomes very easy.” “I have to thank the priests of my local parish (Igreja São Nicolau) in Lisbon. Liturgy is taken very seriously there, and each Sunday Mass is treated with great care. After all, Jesus is more important than the Pope and the eyes of the world, and it is Jesus whom we meet at every eucharistic celebration. Therefore, shouldn’t we take every sacrament seriously? Over the years, I have learned a good deal about how to become a skilled deacon. And then, of course, in seminary as well.” “It is a great honor to stand next to the Pope, and I think I am very grateful for this opportunity. Being able to see him from that distance (or lack thereof) gave me the opportunity to understand that man. It was priceless.” When asked whether they