Bishop Barron ordains 18 deacons from the North American College in St. Peter’s Basilica

VATICAN CITY — Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, ordained 18 men from the North American College in Rome as transitional deacons in St. Peter’s Basilica on Thursday.

The Oct. 1 celebration came after approximately seven years of rigorous spiritual, academic, and pastoral formation, marking a pivotal step for the men in the journey toward becoming fully ordained Catholic priests.

Transitional deacons are in their final stage of ministry as seminarians before their priestly ordination. For each candidate, the milestone signifies a lifelong commitment to humble service, preaching the Gospel, and assisting at the altar as they step into their ultimate calling as shepherds of the faith.

Reflecting on the weight and grace of the moment, candidate Nicholas Vande Hey of Green Bay, Wisconsin, told EWTN News that he “feels humbled and I feel hungry at the same time ... for what [the Lord is] going to do in the future.” Vande Hey is joined by peers representing dioceses across the United States, all of whom have spent years preparing in the heart of the Church.

In his homily, Barron, founder of the Catholic ministry Word on Fire, reminded the…