Eleven Seminarians Ordained Transitional Deacons

The Most Reverend Robert Lynch, Bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, presided over St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary's Diaconate Ordination on Saturday, April 20^th.  It was standing room only, as more than 500 family members, friends, clergy and seminarians gathered to witness and celebrate the ordination of eleven seminarians to the Transitional Diaconate.  As newly ordained transitional deacons, these men will be assigned to local parishes where they will exercisetheir ministry as deacons on weekends during their final year of formation.  Among other duties, they will be able to preach, perform baptisms, and witness marriages, as well as preside over wakes and funerals.

Rector and President, Msgr. David Toups remarked, "We are so proud of these men as they begin their lives of ordained ministry.  I am confident that their ministry and service will greatly contribute to the building up to God's Kingdom."

The following men were ordained into the transitional diaconate:   Archdiocese of Miami – Matias A. Hualpa, Carlos Cabrera, Fenly Saint Jean; Diocese of Palm Beach – Wesler Hilaire;Diocese of Pensacola/Tallahassee – Matthew Busch, Stephen X. Olson;  Diocese of St. Augustine – Bryan Holtz;  Diocese of St. Petersburg- Jonathan Emery, Brian Fabiszewski,  Kyle D. Smith;  Redemtoris Mater Seminary – Ivan M. Rodriguez.

Please continue to pray for these fine men as they continue to discern God's call to the priesthood.