Seminarian ordained as transitional deacon in Rome

Thomas Kelly takes critical step toward priestly ordination.

Thomas Kelly, sixth from altar, lies prostrate during his ordination as a transitional deacon Oct. 8 at St. Peter’s Basilica. Deacon Kelly, a seminarian with the Diocese of Venice, was ordained along with 28 other seminarians studying Pontifical North American College in Rome.

COURTESY | CHRISTOPHER GUNTY
Thomas Kelly, sixth from altar, lies prostrate during his ordination as a transitional deacon Oct. 8 at St. Peter’s Basilica. Deacon Kelly, a seminarian with the Diocese of Venice, was ordained along with 28 other seminarians studying Pontifical North American College in Rome.

FLORIDA CATHOLIC STAFF REPORT

Posted: 10.16.09

VATICAN CITY | Diocese of Venice seminarian Thomas Kelly was among 30 other men to be ordained a transitional deacon at a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on Oct. 8.

Deacon Kelly, 43, is in his final year of studies at Pontifical North American College, a seminary for Americans studying in Rome.

Newly ordained Deacon Thomas Kelly, center, poses for a photograph with, from left, Matthew Grady, David Martinez, Eric Sanlan, Bishop Frank J. Dewane and Steve Clemente.

COURTESY PHOTO
Newly ordained Deacon Thomas Kelly, center, poses for a photograph with, from left, Matthew Grady, David Martinez, Eric Sanlan, Bishop Frank J. Dewane and Steve Clemente.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane, in Rome for a pilgrimage marking the diocese’s 25th Anniversary, concelebrated the Mass. Also attending the ordination were four other diocesan seminarians who are studying in Rome: Steve Clemente, Eric Scanlan, Matthew Grady and David Martinez.

Archbishop Robert J. Carlson of St. Louis, who was principal celebrant and ordained the men, urged them in his homily, “In the short time you will be transitional deacons, pray you will grow in holiness” in order to be able to lead others down the same path.

The Rite of Ordination of Deacons exhorts the candidates to “receive the Gospel of Christ whose herald you now are. Believe what you read, teach what you believe and practice what you teach.”

Before their ordination the deacons completed extensive studies in both philosophy and theology. They have been commissioned by the Church to preach the word of God, minister at the altar and assist the bishops and priests in the pastoral care of the community.

SEMINARIANS ELEVATED

Diocese of Venice seminarians Ron Hackett and Joseph Gates, who are studying at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, have been elevated in their journey toward becoming priests. Hackett was elevated to Reader, and Gates was elevated to Acolyte. Diocese of Palm Beach Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito elevated the men to these ministries in a Mass on Sept. 25.

The ordination liturgy, in English, took place at the Altar of the Chair, a large altar underneath the oversized cathedra, or chair, of St. Peter. The liturgy included music in English and Latin, led by a schola cantorum, and accompanied by pipe organ. The deacons invited family and guests from the United States to join them for the important event, which was also attended by several dignitaries, including Miguel Diaz, the new U.S. ambassador to the Vatican.

Deacon Kelly reflected on this time in his life by offering his thanks for the prayers and well wishes of those in the Diocese of Venice, adding it has been “very hectic, but also so very, very grace-filled. It was an extraordinary ceremony, and a real comfort to have Bishop Dewane seated right across from me and a few seats down.”

Christopher Gunty, associate publisher/editor of The Catholic Review, newspaper of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, contributed to this story.

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