Deacon Ordination

A new class of permanent and transitional deacons will be ordained on Saturday, May 8, at Holy Name Cathedral at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Ordination to the Diaconate at 10 a.m.

Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, ordains 11 candidates from Mundelein Seminary, the Institute for Diaconal Studies and the Instituto de Liderazgo Pastoral to the Diaconate at Holy Name Cathedral.

Ordination to the Diaconate at 2 p.m.

Bishop Robert Casey, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Chicago, ordains 11 candidates from the Institute for Diaconal Studies and the Instituto de Liderazgo Pastoral to the Diaconate at Holy Name Cathedral.

A Catholic deacon is one who is ordained to diakonia, that is, a service to God’s People in communion with the bishop and his body of priests. “The principal function of the deacon is to collaborate with the bishop and the priests in the exercise of a ministry which is not of their own wisdom but of the Word of God, calling all to conversion and holiness” (National Directory, USCCB, 2005, p. 16-17).

The newly ordained deacons will assist the bishop and his priests in ministries of the Word, Liturgy and Charity. This includes proclaiming the Gospel, leading intercessions, preaching, preparing the altar, celebrating baptisms, leading the faithful in prayer, distributing holy communion, witnessing marriages and conducting wake and funeral services. Deacons also identify the needs of poor and underserved, and shepherd the Church's resources to meet those needs.