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Deacon Jordan Willard looks forward to the grace of ordination

Zoey Maraist | Catholic Herald Staff Writer

Deacon Jordan M. Willard receives the holy oils after the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington March 24, 2016. Ashleigh Buyers | CATHOLIC HERALD

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As a child, Deacon Jordan M. Willard often served as an altar
boy, taking his cues from the priest during the Mass. In the past year as a
transitional deacon, Deacon Willard also has spent much of his time on the
heels of the parish priests that he served, soaking up all the knowledge and
wisdom he could before his ordination. “Diaconate year is really a time for
observation,” said Deacon Willard. “It’s very much a learning phase.”

 

Deacon Willard, along with Deacons Stephen Vaccaro and Steven
Oetjen, will be ordained to the priesthood by Arlington Bishop Michael F.
Burbidge June 10. Deacon Willard and his family moved to the area and began
attending St. Francis de Sales Church in Purcellville in 2000.

Deacon Willard, one of 12 children, was born to Glenn and Joanna
Willard in Lansing, Mich., in 1989. The whole family converted to Catholicism
in 1996 after years of attending Episcopal services. He graduated from the
Heights School in Potomac, Md., and briefly attended Virginia Tech before
discerning a vocation to the priesthood. In 2010, he began formation at the
Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio.

In addition to taking his final year of classes, Deacon Willard
has spent the past year listening and learning. He was able to preach at Mass
about once a month and performed eight baptisms, including the baptism of his niece,
Isabella Louise Willard.

Bishop Emeritus Paul S. Loverde, the bishop who guided him in his
vocation, also will be present at his ordination Mass. Bishop Loverde’s direction
throughout his formation has been instrumental, said Deacon Willard. “Bishop
Loverde felt like a second father to me. I say that without exaggeration,” he
said.

At the same time, Deacon Willard is excited to get to know Bishop
Burbidge. “I’m amazed at the presence he has had the past few months he’s been
here,” said Deacon Willard. “I look forward to serving him.”

Deacon Willard feels blessed by the support and “abundant
prayers” his home parish of St. Francis de Sales has offered on his behalf. Unfortunately,
the church is undergoing major renovations and so he has chosen to celebrate
his first Mass in his high school’s chapel.

“In many ways, you could say the Heights was the first place I
took personal initiative with my faith on a significant level,” he said. “I’m
not sure if I would’ve entered seminary if not for the tools they had given
me.”

Once ordained, he will be parochial vicar of St. Theresa Church
in Ashburn. “I look forward to getting to work, honestly,” he said. “I’m
looking forward to the graces and the peace that I hope to receive when I lay
down on that marble floor.”

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