Final stage before priesthood begins for future Catholic leaders across four dioceses
Briefly:
- Via the Sacrament of Holy Orders, transitional deacons are seminarians preparing for the priesthood through service, ministry and sacramental leadership.
- The Saint Paul Seminary celebrates 11 men set to be ordained transitional deacons across the Midwest in May and June.
- Each ordination is a public witness to God’s ongoing call and the Church’s mission to form servant leaders.
Marking one of the final steps in a man’s journey toward Catholic priesthood, 11 Saint Paul Seminary seminarians from six dioceses across the Upper Midwest will be ordained transitional deacons in May and June.
A transitional deacon is a man in the last stages of formation for the priesthood. Though not yet priests, transitional deacons are fully ordained through the Sacrament of Holy Orders and serve the Church in distinct ways.
Their ministry includes:
- Proclaiming the Gospel
- Preaching (i.e. giving homilies at Mass)
- Preparing the altar
- Distributing the Eucharist
- Celebration of sacraments and rites including baptism, marriages and officiating at funerals
All deacons, including transitional deacons, are especially dedicated to the ministries of charity and pastoral care, serving under the direction of their bishop.
Unlike permanent deacons — who often are married and are not preparing for priesthood — transitional deacons will typically serve in this role for about a year before priestly ordination.
2025 transitional diaconate ordinations
Below is a schedule of transitional deacon ordination Masses for men formed at The Saint Paul Seminary.
Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
10 a.m. Saturday, May 10 | Basilica of St. Mary | Minneapolis
Dominic Miller
Peter Romens
Sebastian Spencer
Diocese of Winona-Rochester
10 a.m. Saturday, May 24 | Cathedral of the Sacred Heart | Winona, Minnesota
Riley Becher
Cullen Gallagher
Adam Worm
Diocese of Rapid City
10 a.m. Saturday, May 24 | Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help | Rapid City, South Dakota
Todd VanderMay
Diocese of Sioux Falls
11 a.m. Wednesday, May 28 | Cathedral of St. Joseph | Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Alexander Leschisin
Diocese of Des Moines
5 p.m. Friday, June 6 | Basilica of St. John | Des Moines
Stanley Asjes
Diocese of Fargo
7 p.m. Friday, June 6 | Holy Cross Catholic Church | West Fargo, North Dakota
Garret Aberle
Patrick Sorrells