Deacon Chris Vaccaro was born Aug. 4, 1978, into a large
Catholic family with six siblings who along with his parents,
Vincent and Frances, supported his dream of becoming a
priest. The Vaccaro family laid the foundation of his
vocation by praying together and attending Mass as a family.
This bond created an atmosphere that Deacon Vaccaro found to
be very important in his calling to the priesthood.
“My parents were very influential in my decision to become a
priest,” Deacon Vaccaro said. It was this family involvement
and support that promoted a steady progression toward his
ordination this Saturday at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More.
In the fifth grade, Deacon Vaccaro began serving Mass at St.
Michael Church in Annandale. His service extended through the
eighth grade at St. Michael School and high school at Bishop
Ireton in Alexandria. When he went to study psychology at
Marymount University he returned occasionally to serve Mass
at St. Michael.
“It was an unusual honor,” Deacon Vaccaro said of his
post-high school altar serving duties. His service as an
altar boy was very important in the formation of his
vocation.
Deacon Vaccaro became interested in the priesthood in the
eighth grade, and the influence and support of Fathers Dennis
Kleinman and Richard Mullins, both assigned to St. Michael
when Deacon Vaccaro was an altar boy, was invaluable in
nurturing his vocation.
If the priesthood and his faith were his first love, college
basketball was his second. Deacon Vaccaro had refereed high
school basketball for many years, earning accolades in the
demanding field. It was a tempting life’s work.
“I was invited to the SEC referee camp to be evaluated for
Division I consideration,” he said. The SEC invitation
coincided with his acceptance at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in
Emmitsburg, Md. He needed to make a decision and he chose
God.
He still referees high school basketball at area public
schools and hopes to continue after ordination.
For the past year Deacon Vaccaro served as a transitional
deacon assigned to the cathedral. He was given a lot of
responsibility.
“I could do almost everything a priest could do,” Deacon
Vaccaro said, “It’s very humbling. There’s so much
responsibility.” He also realizes that this life he chose is
a great sacrifice and something “that will not be easy.”
In addition to performing the duties of a deacon – preaching
the Gospel, blessing marriages and presiding at wakes and
graveside services, he loves teaching at St. Thomas More
Cathedral School, something he hopes to continue wherever
he’s assigned.
When Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde ordains Deacon Vaccaro
to the priesthood it will be the culmination of years of
familial love and support and the beginning of many years of
service to the Arlington Diocese and its faithful.
