October 26, 2017 — Last weekend, 12 Jesuits were ordained as deacons by Bishop
Michael Barber, SJ, Bishop of Oakland, California, at the Cathedral of Christ
the Light in Oakland. For Jesuits in formation, ordination to the diaconate is
the final step in preparation for priestly ordination in the Society of Jesus.
The new deacons are currently studying theology at the Jesuit School of
Theology of Santa Clara University in Berkeley, California.
Over Labor Day weekend, 12 Jesuits were ordained by Cardinal
Seán O’Malley, OFM Cap., at St. Ignatius Church in Chestnut Hill,
Massachusetts. These newly ordained deacons are students at the Boston College
School of Theology and Ministry.
Earlier in the year, five Jesuits were ordained by Most
Reverend Wayne Kirkpatrick, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Toronto, at
Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Toronto, and two Jesuits were ordained in Quebec
City by Cardinal Gérald Cyprien Lacroix at the Jesuit Chapel there.
Deacons proclaim the Gospel, preach and teach in the name of
the church. As ministers of sacraments, they baptize, witness marriages and
conduct wake and funeral services.
The newly ordained deacons have responded promptly to their
call to service, assigned to parishes until next summer when they will be
ordained to the priesthood and receive their first missions as Jesuit priests.
