March 29, 2024

Seminarian John Williams to be ordained a transitional deacon in June

REGIONAL
By Sharon Roulier

Seminarian John Williams (iObserve photo/Fred LeBlanc)

SPRINGFIELD – Springfield Bishop William D. Byrne has announced that John Williams, a seminarian for the Springfield Diocese, will be ordained a transitional deacon on June 1 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Church, Longmeadow. The official announcement came during the annual chrism Mass held Tuesday morning, March 26 in St. Michael’s Cathedral.

Deacons preparing to become priests are called transitional deacons. Transitional deacons can preach and read the Gospel, assist at Mass, baptize, witness marriages, and conduct funeral rites outside of Mass. The men now have one more year of priestly formation.

“It was very special to be there as the priests renew their promises and to think that, God willing, next year I will be preparing not only for ordination, but that very oil which the bishop consecrated will be the oil used in my ordination,” Williams said, following the Mass, which was attended by priests and deacons from throughout the diocese.

The seminarian said he was approached by Bishop Byrne in the sacristy of St. Michael’s Cathedral, before the chrism Mass began.

“Bishop Byrne officially called me to orders,” said Williams, explaining he had contacted the bishop a few weeks prior.

“I wrote a letter, handwritten, to Bishop Byrne telling him that I had a good year and I officially requested to be ordained a deacon. Today was the official response back,” he said.

Father Jonathan Reardon, director of recruitment for the Springfield Diocese’s Office of Vocations, said the announcement was fittingly delivered during the chrism Mass.

“To call John Williams to Holy Orders at this Mass made this extra special,” said Father Reardon. “It was really cool.”

Williams will be ordained to the priesthood on June 21, 2025 in St. Michael’s Cathedral.

Prior to enrolling in Pope Saint John XXIII Seminary in Weston, Mass., Williams worked for a decade in Jesuit high school education. He also is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He earned a master of arts degree in philosophical studies from Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Md., and a bachelor of arts degree in social sciences from Chapman University in California.

During the chrism Mass, the bishop also announced the acceptance of a new seminarian into the diocese. Michael Uzoma, a native of Nigeria, will begin the propaedeutic year at Blessed Stanley Rother House of Formation at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md.

Father Reardon confirmed that the vocations office has two other applications as well.