Bishop Michael F. Burbidge ordained eight men to the transitional diaconate at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington April 23: Jonathan “Tony” Bennett, Andrew Clark, Timothy Courtney, Zinjin Iglesia, Michael Nugent, Stanley “Luke” Poczatek IV, Charles Wilton and David Witherow.
Unlike permanent deacons, transitional deacons are on the path to the priesthood. Deacons can assist at the Mass by proclaiming the Gospel, giving the homily, serving at the altar and distributing Communion. Deacons may preside over funerals, witness weddings and perform baptisms.
The ordination was the day before Divine Mercy Sunday, and Bishop Burbidge spoke in his homily about the role of God’s mercy in the lives of the soon-to-be ordained deacons. “It’s mercy that brings us here today,” said Bishop Burbidge. While each of the men has virtues, they also have weaknesses. “Yet God in his amazing love and divine mercy has chosen you to be his deacons and God willing, one day soon, his priests. He has never given up on you. He has never tired of forgiving you and he never will.
“You are called not only to be recipients of mercy but instruments of the Lord’s mercy,” said Bishop Burbidge. “Especially in your preaching and teaching … constantly remind God’s people that there is no sin or failure greater than his love and mercy for all those who approach him with a contrite heart and a sincere desire to become a new creation.”
After the homily, each man made a promise to be consecrated to the ministry of the church and to conform his life to the example of Christ. They then prostrated themselves in front of the altar as the congregation sang the litany of saints. After the litany, each man knelt before Bishop Burbidge. He then prayed the prayer of ordination over them.
Afterward, each man put on vestments — a stole and dalmatic — with the help of a friend from among the clergy. Deacon Nugent was vested by Father Dennis W. Kleinmann, pastor of St. Veronica Church in Chantilly. The men got to know each other when Nugent was serving at the parish at the start of the coronavirus pandemic and through that summer. “He’s a wonderful guy, a very holy man, a very humble man and I think he’ll make an excellent priest,” said Father Kleinmann.
After the Mass, the newly ordained deacons stood outside the cathedral to greet their friends and family.
A large group of students and alumni came from George Mason University in Fairfax to congratulate Deacon Iglesia, including Josh Abando. Though Deacon Iglesia graduated from Mason before Abando’s freshman year, he returned often to visit the community. The outgoing alumnus was committed to his friends, said Abando, and his friends in turn befriended younger students, fostering an environment of spiritual mentorship within the campus ministry, said Abando. “Like a chain of people who just had the same mentality, same heart and same mindset of wanting to bring God to so many college students,” he said.
David Norris and his family came from Front Royal to congratulate his longtime friend Deacon Clark. Their parents were friends at Christendom College in Front Royal and the two boys grew up together. David remembers one moment in particular when he and Andrew were trick-or-treating and got into a fight over whether Robin Hood or a cowboy was the better choice for a Halloween costume. “Andrew told that story with great gusto at our wedding,” said his wife, Rebecca.
David remembers when Andrew told him he was looking into the priesthood, something David had long thought his friend might be called to. “I just had a feeling,” he said. “It’s just great to see him grow as a man, I’m so happy for him.”
This story has been updated.