Photos

Archdiocese ordains 15 permanent deacons

Fifteen permanent and two transitional deacons were ordained May 10, 2025, at Holy Name Cathedral, 735 N. State St. Bishop Lawence Sullivan, vicar general for the Archdiocese of Chicago, was the main celebrant at the ordination and offered the homily. The newly ordained deacons will assist the bishop and his priests in ministries of the Word, Liturgy and Charity. These include proclaiming the Gospel, leading intercessions, preaching, preparing the altar, celebrating baptisms, leading the faithful in prayer, distributing holy communion, witnessing marriages, and conducting wake and funeral services. Deacons also identify the needs of the poor and underserved, and shepherd the Church's resources to meet them. (Karen Callaway and Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Deacon ordinandi and their wives process into Holy Name Cathedral. Fifteen permanent and two transitional deacons were ordained May 10, 2025, at Holy Name Cathedral, 735 N. State St. Bishop Lawence Sullivan, vicar general for the Archdiocese of Chicago, was the main celebrant at the ordination and offered the homily. The newly ordained deacons will assist the bishop and his priests in ministries of the Word, Liturgy and Charity. These include proclaiming the Gospel, leading intercessions, preaching, preparing the altar, celebrating baptisms, leading the faithful in prayer, distributing holy communion, witnessing marriages, and conducting wake and funeral services. Deacons also identify the needs of the poor and underserved, and shepherd the Church's resources to meet them. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Deacon candidate Juan Franco and his wife Laura process into the cathedral. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Deacon candidate Francisco Naranjo and his wife Martha process into the cathedral. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Kristin Lanigan, wife of deacon candidate Robert Lanigan, sneaks a kiss to a relative during the procession. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Father Ton Nguyen, associate pastor at Holy Name Cathedral, and Msgr. Dennis Lyle, pastor at St. Mary Magdalene Parish, process into the cathedral. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Deacon Daniel Moore, deacon of the Word and senior coordinator for Permanent Deacon Formation at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary, proclaims the Gospel. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Ordinandi stand to the applause of the assembly after their election as candidates for ordination. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Members of the congregation applaud after the deacon candidates are announced. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
The ordinandi kneel following the Litany of Supplication. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Martha Naranjo, wife of Deacon Francisco Naranjo proclaims the first reading. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Deacon-elect Gabriel Gomez gives his Promise of Respect and Obedience to Bishop Sullivan. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Deacon-elect Dennis Holley gives his Promise of Respect and Obedience to Bishop Sullivan. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Bishop Sullivan lays hands on the head of deacon candidate James Bratager. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Bishop Sullivan lays hands on the head of deacon candidate Rodrigo Gomez. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
The ordinandi lie during the Litany of Supplication. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Deacon Matthew Jones is vested by his wife Susan and Father Robert Pajor. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Deacon John McNichols (left) is vested by Father Krzysztof Paluch with the help of his wife Linda. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Deacon Bob Puhala (left), former director of the Institute for Diaconal Studies of the Mundelein Seminary, and Dean Daniel Moore (right), senior coordinator for Permanent Deacon Formation for the Mundelein Seminary, offer the Kiss of Peace to newly ordained Deacons Alfredo Yepez and Kenneth Michaels. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Deacon John McNichols hugs his wife Linda after being vested. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Bishop Sullivan presents the Book of the Gospels to newly ordained Deacon Kenneth Michaels. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Bishop Sullivan presents the Book of the Gospels to newly ordained Deacon Miguel Garcia Prado. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Ilda Rivera, Susan Jones and Angélica Gomez, wives of newly ordained deacons, return to their seats after presenting the gifts. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Auxiliary Bishops Mark Bartosic, Timothy O’Malley and Vicar General Lawrence Sullivan call down the Holy Spirit during the Archdiocese of Chicago Diaconate Ordination. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Deacon of the Eucharist Juan Carlos Bautista incenses the newly ordained deacons. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Deacon Robert Lanigan distributes Holy Communion. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Deacons Francisco Naranjo (left) and Juan Franco distribute Holy Communion. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Deacon Alfredo Yepez distributes the Precious Blood. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
A deacon greets a member of the congregation as the newly ordained process out of Mass. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Deacon Juan Franco offers a blessing to Guadalupe Hernandez. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Deacon John McNichols receives the congratulations of parishioner Justina Jedrzejczyk as wife Linda (right) looks on. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Deacon Pablo Janowicz poses for a picture following Mass. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)

Advertising