For Immediate Release: May 2, 2023

The Most Rev. Barry C. Knestout has called to holy orders two seminarians from the Catholic Diocese of Richmond to the transitional diaconate. As they continue on the path to priesthood, David Arellano and Seth Seaman will be ordained transitional deacons, Saturday, May 20, 2023, at 10:30 am.

Deacons are an ordained minister of the Catholic Church. They can assist at Mass by proclaiming the Gospel, preach the homily, serve at the altar, and they may baptize, witness marriages and conduct funeral services.

The transitional ordination will take place at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Richmond at 10:30am. The ordination is open to the public and will be livestreamed on the diocesan website and YouTube channel. Please join us in person or virtually.

Called to be Ordained to the Transitional Diaconate

Seminarian David Arellano

David Arellano, 25, whose home parish is St. Francis of Assisi, Rocky Mount, is a graduate of Franklin County High School and received his bachelor’s degree from The Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. He is the son of Maria Arellano and is a native of Orange, C.A. He attends Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, in Emmitsburg, M.D. He is in his third year of formation.

Seminarian Seth Seaman

Seth Seaman, who will be 37 at the end of May, is the son of Lon and Veronica Seaman. He is a native of Pennsylvania, who grew up in Hampton, VA, when his family moved to Hampton Roads at the age of nine. Following high school, he studied at Old Dominion University and become a design engineer. He is in formation at the Theological College in Washington, D.C., and notes St. Joseph’s in Hampton is his home parish.

To learn more about our seminarians, click here.

For more frequently questions about the role of a deacon in the Catholic Church, click here.

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