The Ordination Mass

I look forward to celebrating my ordination to the diaconate with you, which I anticipate occurring October 1 at the Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican. I cannot thank you enough for your prayers and support.

This may be your first Catholic Mass, or your first Mass in awhile. And for most of you, it will be your first time attending and ordination. So here is some information on the Holy Mass.

The Mass will be celebrated in the Basilica of Saint Peter, built atop the resting place of Saint Peter. This church's style is meant to honor God and to lift worshipers' hearts and minds to Him. The Mass itself is an occasion of prayer and worship. I hope you will use the time to pray in your hearts for me and my brother seminarians being ordained, and indeed for all of your intentions. I ask that you please dress modestly, remain reverent in the Basilica, and only receive Communion if you are a practicing Catholic.

The ordination to the diaconate occurs during the celebration of the Mass. For those of you familiar with the Mass, after the Liturgy of the Word, the ordination occurs. Then, the Liturgy of the Eucharist follows.

Jesus Christ instituted the Mass and the Eucharist at the Last Supper, along with the sacrament of Holy Orders, entrusting the Mass to his Apostles whose successors continued to develop the liturgy through the centuries while leaving the core and substance of the Mass unchanged. In a famous writing, Saint Justin Martyr in the second century describes the Mass in a way that still applies today. For Catholics, the Mass is the fount and apex of the faith.

The Mass includes prayers in the vernacular (English) along with some words in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew--the three languages on the inscription above Jesus on the cross. The Mass contains Old and New Testament readings, ancient prayers, chanted psalms (like what Jesus and his Apostles would have prayed), and hymns. Everything in the Mass leads to the Holy Eucharist (Holy Communion), in which Jesus is really and fully present.

There will be a program for the Mass with more information and to help you follow along.

Because Catholics believe that the Eucharist is the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus, truly present, Holy Communion should only be received by practicing Catholics who are free from grave sin through the sacrament of Confession.

For those who are not in full communion with the Catholic Church, not practicing Catholics, or who for whatever reason will not be receiving Holy Communion, you are invited to remain in the pew and pray for Christian unity, as Jesus himself prayed (John 17:20-23).

The Ordination Mass for the Transitional Diaconate will take place on October 1, 2026 at the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican. The current Mass start time is scheduled for 6pm. Tickets are free, but you do need a ticket (RSVP to be on my list).

For those unable to attend in person, the Mass will be broadcast on EWTN both on television and on their YouTube page.