June 2, 2024

Seminarian John Williams ordained to the diaconate

REGIONAL
By Carolee McGrath

(iObserve photo/courtesy of Fred LeBlanc)

LONGMEADOW – With 11 of his siblings and their families looking on, seminarian John Williams took another important step on his journey to the priesthood as he was ordained a deacon, Saturday, June 1. Springfield Bishop William D. Byrne celebrated the special ordination Mass at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Parish in Longmeadow, where Williams was assigned last summer. Many priests and deacons from across the Diocese of Springfield were present for the ordination.

“Today is the most joyful day in the Diocese of Springfield,” said Bishop Byrne of the ordination. Williams is the first seminarian to be ordained a deacon in a few years. There are now two other men along with Williams in priestly formation for the diocese.

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. Williams will be ordained a priest next June.

“There is no such thing as a former Marine,” the bishop said in his homily speaking of Williams military service. “And, he will always be after today a deacon of Holy Mother Church. As a deacon, as a minister of Jesus, John, do the will of God and serve others with joy. John you have been blessed to come from a big family rooted in faith. The sacrament of marriage that your parents were called to was a witness, a sign to the world. Now you will also be a public witness and a sign to the world.”

Williams is the youngest of 15 children and grew up outside of Washington, D.C. He completed  his undergraduate degree while in the U.S. Marine Corps. He spent some time in formation in the Archdiocese of Washington earning a master’s degree in philosophical studies at Mount St. Mary’s College in Emmitsburg, Md. He then taught in a Catholic school outside of Washington, D.C. and, most recently at a Jesuit high school in Indiana.

During the Rite of Ordination, the bishop called Williams forward and asked about his worthiness as a candidate. Following the homily, Williams stated his intent to be consecrated to the church’s ministry and to follow the example of Christ. Next, Williams lay prostrate before the altar as a gesture of humility and total submission to God, as the congregation sang the Litany of Saints. This was followed by the Laying On of Hands. Finally, he was vested and handed the Book of Gospels.

“This is the culmination of a long search and desire to serve,” said Williams. “I was in the Marine Corps for a while. I was a teacher for a while. I knew God was calling me, and when he wants you he is unrelenting,” he said.

Williams, who ran three Marine Corps Marathons, has been assigned to the Blessed Trinity Parish in Greenfield, which includes both Holy Trinity Church and Blessed Sacrament Church.