Saint Paul Seminary celebrates transitional diaconate ordination of 13 men this spring and summer [Video]

Five Catholic bishops will ordain 13 Saint Paul Seminary seminarians as transitional deacons this spring and summer.

The transitional diaconate normally marks the final year of a man’s formation before he becomes a Catholic priest. Transitional deacons are in the process of “transitioning” to the priesthood, whereas permanent deacons are ordained deacons and remain in that state.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops states: “A deacon is an ordained minister of the Catholic Church. There are three groups, or ‘orders,’ of ordained ministers in the Church: bishops, presbyters [priests] and deacons. Deacons are ordained as a sacramental sign to the Church …