In recent months, seminarians Ian Vergel, John Vespa, Tuong Nguyen and Joshua McDermid were all ordained as transitional deacons, surrounded by family, friends and well-wishers in parishes where they have served on pastoral placements.
Ordination to the transitional diaconate takes place before a seminarian is ordained to the priesthood, and Ian, John, Tuong and Joshua are all preparing for their ordination to the priesthood at St Patrick’s Cathedral. In the meantime, they have embraced the distinct and important ministry of deacon. Looking back at their ordinations, they reflect on the significance of this important step in their vocational journeys and their hopes for their ministry.
Trusting in God’s plan: Deacon Tuong Nguyen
Tuong remembers the day of this ordination at St Gregory the Great Catholic Church, Doncaster, as ‘a moment of profound gratitude and awe’, speaking of ‘the overwhelming sense of God’s presence as I laid prostrate during the Litany of the Saints, hearing the prayers of the community rising like incense’. He remembers it as ‘a moment of surrender, of saying, “Here I am, Lord.” I felt a deep sense of peace, coupled with an excitement for the ministry ahead.’
This year, returning to an older practice of the Archdiocese, transitional deacons were ordained in the parishes where they had done their pastoral placements. Tuong says it was ‘incredibly humbling’ to see the people he had served at his ordination, and to know that he was not embarking on this journey alone. ‘It brought a very familiar feeling, like a home away from home,’ he says.
Originally from Saigon, Vietnam, he says that ‘being completely away from my motherland was daunting. However, the presence of some family, friends and the people I have served was very comforting. The parish community is where the Church truly comes alive, and it felt fitting to celebrate this milestone surrounded by the people who have been my teachers, encouragers and companions in faith.’
On his journey to the priesthood, Tuong has always felt Christ ‘inspiring, guiding and strengthening’ him during challenging times. ‘I have always felt his comforting presence, especially when I feel like giving up. He continually reminds me of my purpose and calling, and—in prayer—I sense him encouraging me to trust in his plan and to be a source of love and hope for others,’ he says.
In his desire to serve Christ and his Church, Tuong hopes that he can continue to be an instrument of God’s peace. ‘I pray I can continue to be a light in the world and the salt of the earth, helping bring more people to God,’ Tuong says. My deepest desire is to serve as an instrument connecting God and humanity.’
View Tuong’s ordination to the diaconate here.
Excitement and inner peace: Deacon Joshua McDermid
Joshua says the day of his ordination at St Mary MacKillop Catholic Church, Keilor Downs, was marked by ‘a great feeling of excitement’. St Mary MacKillop Church is only 20 years old, and Joshua’s ordination was the first to take place there. ‘I greatly appreciate the support of parishioners in so many ways,’ Joshua says, ‘from preparing the liturgy and the refreshments to altar serving and music.’
For Joshua, encountering Christ in prayer has been ‘foundational’ to his journey to the priesthood. Before entering the seminary, spending time in Eucharistic adoration was ‘pivotal’ to his discernment of a vocation. So ‘it was an incredible experience to lead exposition and Benediction a few days after my ordination,’ he says.
Joshua feels that Christ continues to confirm him in his vocation to the priesthood. ‘I feel that Christ is giving me great inner peace in my vocation journey,’ he says. ‘I am looking forward to an ever-greater experience of leading God’s people in prayer and to administering more sacraments. It is also increasing my desire to serve the parish community I am currently immersed in—St Mary of the Assumption—in which there is such a great hunger for, and love of God.’
As Joshua waits in anticipation for his ordination to the priesthood next year, he says he is ‘trying to soak it in for a while’.
‘I look forward to being ordained as a priest with my brother deacons,’ Joshua says. ‘While it was a great experience to be ordained alone this year in the parish setting, I am looking forward to the fraternal aspect of being ordained together at St Patrick’s Cathedral.’
View Joshua’s ordination to the diaconate here.
A joy only Christ can give: John Vespa
John says that he was ‘filled with deep joy and gratitude’ the day of his ordination at St Bede’s Catholic Church, North Balwyn. ‘When giving Holy Communion, there was a grace I felt as the faithful came to receive,’ John remembers.
To be ordained in the local parish was ‘a priceless experience’ for John. ‘To be there and see all the faithful filled my heart with a joy only Christ can give,’ he says. ‘I feel that all the people present shared in something that they will hold in their hearts for many years to come.’
John says that Christ, the Good Shepherd, has always sustained him on his journey to the priesthood. ‘God has always been with me, and I have trusted that his guiding hand has shepherded me to and through my vocation,’ he says. ‘Our Triune God has helped me grow, learn and become who I am today.’
Since his ordination, John has experienced a ‘newness’ in his vocation to the priesthood. ‘I am now at the altar—assisting the priest or bishop—while also being entrusted to minister the sacraments to the faithful,’ he says. ‘I look forward to Advent and being able to serve the people of the parish and share my vocation with all the faithful.’
John is greatful for the period of transition between the diaconate and the priesthood, regarding it as a ‘necessary’ stage. ‘Without it, a deacon would not be able to grow, to be nourished and yield fruits once ordained a priest,’ he says. ‘Embracing this stage of the diaconate is key for learning, for listening to God.’
View John’s ordination to the diaconate here.
Joy and thanksgiving: Ian Vergel
Speaking at his ordination at St Fidelis Catholic Church, Moreland, Ian said it was a ‘great joy’ to celebrate his ordination in the parish, giving ‘special thanks and praise to Our Lord Jesus Christ’ for the gift of being ordained to the diaconate.
Ian first began to discern a calling to the priesthood at St Francis of Assisi, Mill Park—somewhere he has continued to return for ‘solace and consolation’, especially in times of doubt. He said he was particularly grateful to parish priest Fr Anthony Girolami for ‘providing me with an environment to discern my vocation’.
Many people supported Ian with their prayers throughout his discernment, especially his parents and sister, Lois, and he said he was especially grateful to his mum and dad for allowing him ‘to enter into this vocation’, acknowledging that ‘it was very difficult at the beginning’.
‘I will continue to pray for you all as I progress towards the priesthood,’ Ian assured those who had sustained him on his journey towards the priesthood.
View Ian’s ordination to the diaconate here.
What is a deacon?
Deacons, as well as priests and bishops, are ordained through the sacrament of Holy Orders and are called to a special ministry of service.
Deacons are called to take part in the ministerial life of the Church. They can perform a variety of roles, including proclaiming the Gospel, assisting at Mass, administering baptisms, witnessing marriages, presiding at funeral services, distributing Holy Communion and ministering to those most in need.
A seminarian preparing to become a priest is first ordained as a deacon, at which time he gives a solemn promise of lifelong celibacy. By contrast, permanent deacons can be either married or single, and they remain deacons for the rest of their lives. If a permanent deacon is single when he is ordained, he remains single. If a married deacon is widowed, he cannot remarry.
Banner image: (from left) Ian Vergel and John Vespa congratulate Joshua McDermid at his ordination to the transitional diaconate, St Mary MacKillop Catholic Church, Keilor Downs, Saturday 16 November 2024. (Photo by Salim Hijazeen.)
