2011 Diaconate Ordination

35 New Deacons for the North American College

Diaconate Ordination on the Memorial of St. Bruno
A Great Day for the Church in the United States and Australia

On Thursday, October 6th, at approximately 10:45 A.M., Thirty Five Men of the Class of 2012 were ordained transitional deacons of the Roman Catholic Church through the imposition of hands by the His Eminence William Cardinal Levada, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

The ceremony of ordination took place at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica. Guests and family from all over the United States, Rome, Australia, and the World came to join these ordinandi in prayer and give thanks for the heroic gift of the lives of these men in celibate love to Holy Mother Church.

In the Rite of Ordination, the North American College Rector Msgr. James Checchio stood before the assembly, declaring solemnly that “After inquiry among the Christian people and upon the recommendation of those responsible, I testify that they have been found worthy.”
His Eminence William Cardinal Levada responded that “Relying on the help of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ, we choose these, our brothers, for the Order of the Diaconate.”
The assembly showed their approval through a tremendous sign of applause.

These men have promised obedience to the Church and their bishops, a lifelong commitment to celibacy, and daily fidelity to the Liturgy of the Hours, which is the official prayer of the Church.

Congratulations to all the newly ordained on their promotion to the order of diaconate.

To see more photos, click here.