U.S. Air Force Chaplain Hopeful Ordained a Transitional Deacon in Kentucky

OWENSBORO, KY – The Reverend Mr. Conrad T. Jaconette, 2d Lt USAF, a candidate for Catholic priesthood and United States Military chaplaincy, was ordained a transitional deacon on Saturday, Jan. 4, in his home Diocese of Owensboro, KY. The new deacon is on track to be ordained a priest later this year and hopes eventually to serve as a Catholic chaplain in the United States Air Force, providing pastoral care to Catholic airmen, space guardians, and their families, with endorsement and faculties from the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS).

The Rev. Mr. Jaconette celebrated his diaconal ordination at Saint Stephen Cathedral through the laying of hands and the prayer of consecration invoking the Holy Spirit by Bishop William F. Medley. His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, concelebrated the 10:00 a.m. ordination Mass. Among those in attendance were the new deacon’s parents, Mark and Debra Jaconette, his brother, Mr. Roman Jaconette, his sister, Ms. Courtney Clouse, and grandmother, Ms. Beth Parks.

The Rev. Mr. Jaconette, 28, is a 2018 graduate of Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green where he earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree in Biochemistry. In 2021 he completed a Master of Catholic Philosophical Studies, and in 2024, a Master of Divinity, both at the Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in Saint Meinrad, IN. Upon presbyteral ordination in May the new deacon will invest three years in his home Diocese of Owesnboro, gaining priestly experience before acceding to active duty under his Co-sponsored Seminarian Agreement with that diocese and the AMS.

The Rev. Mr. Jaconette says he began to discern his call to priesthood and chaplaincy after earning his undergraduate degree. “After graduation,” he said, “I was applying to medical schools, in a serious relationship, and was unsure what God was asking of me. I needed to properly discern my next step in life—this is what got me in the doors of seminary. It took years of fruitful formation for God to show me that He wanted to use me as one of His priests.” Commenting on his ordination, the new deacon said, “The diaconate is transformative because it places you face to face with the people of God, giving you every opportunity to love and serve others.”

The Rev. Mr. Jaconette is among 34 Catholic U.S. Military chaplain candidates currently enrolled in the Co-Sponsored Seminarian Program, a vocations partnership between the AMS and cooperating U.S. dioceses and religious communities. Last year alone, nine acceded to active duty as chaplains. Young men interested in discerning a priestly vocation, and the vocation within a vocation to serve those who serve in the U.S. military, can find more information at www.milarch.org/vocations, or may contact AMS Vocations at vocations@milarch.org or (202) 719-3600.