Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 

Transitional Deacons and Vocations
 

When I was preparing for priesthood, the last major step before being ordained a priest is that the candidate must be ordained a deacon first. This is similar to how one must first be a priest before he could be ordained a bishop. The three ranks of the sacrament of holy orders are received successively. There are also men who received the rank of deacon but in a permanent way. These are “permanent” deacons. Our own Dcn. John Amedeo fulfills his ministry as a permanent deacon (and we are grateful to have him!). But those who are preparing for priesthood are ordained first as “transitional” deacons because their time as a deacon is preparing them for another step.

I mention this because this Friday three men are being ordained as transitional deacons for our diocese. They will then be ordained priests next year in May. I bring this up because a change has happened. When I went through the process I was ordained a deacon in late October of my last year of seminary, and was ordained a priest six months later. This has been a custom in our diocese for many years. Bishop Perez made a change and is ordaining the candidates another six months earlier so they have a whole year as a deacon before they receive priestly ordination. This is consistent with many other dioceses in our country and I think pretty neat that these men will have some extra time to truly appreciate the deaconal ministry, which they are not to leave behind, but are to bring with them into their priestly ministry. Please keep these new deacons in your prayers and continue to pray for all priests and deacons.

This is appropriate too because 2018 marks the 55th anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. The purpose of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations is to publicly fulfill the Lord’s instruction to, “Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest” (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2). As a climax to a prayer that is continually offered throughout the Church, it affirms the primacy of faith and grace in all that concerns vocations to the priesthood and to the consecrated life. While appreciating all vocations, the Church concentrates its attention this day on vocations to the ordained ministries (priesthood and diaconate), to the Religious life in all its forms (male and female, contemplative and apostolic), to societies of apostolic life, to secular institutes in their diversity of services and membership, and to the missionary life.

I invite all of us to join in fulfilling our Lord’s command as we pray for the Lord to strengthen people to respond to His specific call to these vocations for the upbuilding of the Church. I am sure among our younger parishioners there are vocations just waiting to blossom. Do not be afraid to encourage them in responding generously to God’s call.

May God bless you!

Sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Pfeiffer