Last Saturday, two San Francisco seminarians, Rev. Mr. Gerardo Vazquez and Rev. Mr. Jerald Geronimo, were ordained as transitional deacons, taking their next steps to the priesthood. Most Rev. Salvatore Cordileone of the Archdiocese of San Francisco was the celebrant of the Mass of Ordination to the Order of Deacon. Taking advantage of the loosening of COVID-19 restrictions, St. Patrick's Seminary was able to have a small celebration in the refectory after the ceremony.
The Catholic Church recognizes two types of deacons:
- Permanent deacons, who are men ordained as deacons, but in general are no planning to become priests. These deacons may be married.
- Transitional deacons, who are seminarians in the final stages on their journey to priesthood.
Obviously, Deacons Gerardo and Jerald fall into the latter category. As deacons, they are now consider clerics in the Church and can perform various additional duties. They can baptize persons, witness marriages, perform funeral and burial services outside of a Holy Mass, distribute Holy Communion, and preach the homily. Only after they are ordained a priest will they be able to perform the Liturgy of the Eucharist, hear confessions, anoint the sick, etc.
It is a blessing to see these young men make their next step to the priesthood at such a reverent liturgy. This is made possible by the efforts of the entire St. Patrick's community. Thank you for your ongoing support.
Please enjoy the slideshow below of the event, courtesy of the photography of San Francisco seminarian Dereck Delgado.