From Archbishop Nelson Perez:
On Saturday morning at the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter & Paul I had the honor of ordaining 13 men to the Diaconate – nine men were ordained as Permanent Deacons and four men were ordained as Transitional Deacons for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia; the Diocese of Mymensingh, Bangladesh; and the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians). The Rite of Ordination took place during Mass following the Liturgy of the Word.
Permanent Deacons are members of the clergy of the Catholic Church, and have completed six years of formation at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. As ministers at the altar, Deacons assist the priest and bishop at the Liturgy. They proclaim God’s Word, preach and teach, baptize, may witness marriages, carry out funeral rites at the vigil and the grave, administer Holy Communion to the sick and dying, and perform other works of charity.
Those ordained to the Permanent Diaconate are: Gerald J. Cassidy, Henry C. Fila, Franz N. Fruehwald, Matthew A. Horvath, Gregg W. Hoyer, James V. Nash, Mark D. Nowakowski, Paul F. Stoyell-Mulholland, and Thomas N. Verna.
Transitional Deacons will serve in parishes for a year as they also complete their studies toward eventual ordination as priests next year. Their diaconate ministry is one of transition and a part of the normal progression to the priesthood.
Those ordained to the Transitional Diaconate are: Kenneth L. Cavara, for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia; Prodip P. Mrong, for the Diocese of Mymensingh, Bangladesh; Erik R. Sanchez Martinez, C.M., for the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians); and Mark A. Tobin, for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
The Mass was streamed live via St. Charles Borromeo Seminary Facebook Page, https://www.facebook.com/StCharlesSem/, and at https://vimeo.com/424912591.
Please join me in offering prayers and best wishes for all on this joyous day in our local Church!
