The Transitional Diaconate

One of the best parts of the academic year is when, at the end, ordinations take place, which is usually done in the month of May or June. Here, at Saint Joseph’s Seminary, things are done a little bit different. In November of their fourth year, most of the men are ordained as transitional deacons, instead of it happening at the end of third year. There are several reasons for this, but it helps to have such a significant day in the middle of the fall semester. It is a very moving experience to witness men that you’ve known and lived with for numerous years be ordained to the deaconate, to see the joy they exuberate, and then to see them go out, participate and preach in their first mass as deacons.

The night before, those to be ordained as transitional deacons take the oath of fidelity, in which they pledge to live their lives in accordance with the Church and all of her teachings. After years of study, the men give their formal consent to the Church. A festive dinner follows and then the following morning the ordinations take place in our Chapel here at the seminary. Being ordained as “transitional” deacons is different from the “permanent” deaconate. As transitional deacons, the men are preparing for the next step of Holy Orders, which is ordination to the priesthood, at the end of fourth theology. Transitional deacons still proclaim the gospel at Mass, preach, and baptize, among other duties, but they also prepare to be ordained to the priesthood.

In the Diocese of Camden, twelve men were recently ordained to the permanent deaconate and 3 seminarians were ordained to the transitional deaconate back in June, in preparation for their ordination this upcoming spring. The deaconate plays an important part in the life of the Church. For seminarians, it serves as a reminder of what is to come down the road, and that, for them, it leads to the ordination to the priesthood. Please continue to pray from both transitional and permanent deacons, especially those who are newly ordained, and that more men will follow in their footsteps to serve the Church.