Nine Deacons to Be Ordained by Pope Francis April 25

Nine deacons will be ordained to the priesthood by Pope Francis on April 25.

The Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica will be live on Vatican Media, Telepace, Tv2000 starting at 9am.

The ordination ceremony will be conducted in strict compliance with the Covid-19 regulations.

 The Press Office of the Vicariate of Rome said the deacons are currently on a retreat preparing for the big day.

One of the deacons, a Romanian said his journey towards priesthood started at the age of 9 years after reading a book on St. John Bosco’s life.

Salvatore Marco Montone from Calabria recalls how he was covered with a stole on the day he was babtized because there were no white robes. He said that it became evident to him that God had called him when he was at Salesian university residence in the Parish of San Giovanni Bosco.

Diego Armando Barrera Parra, from Colombia said he initially worked as a volunteer at a Juvenile school.

Manuel Secci who grew up in Torre Angela said the “sense of community and the beautiful experiences” he had nurtured his vocation.

Others include Mateus Enrique Ataide de Cruz, from Brazil, Riccardo Cendamo, and Samuel Piermarini who joined Redemptoris Mater College after he terminated a contract with a football club.

Original Source