Deacon Julio Reyes was ordained a transitional deacon by His Excellency, Bishop Elías Samuel Bolaños Avelar, bishop of Zacatecoluca, El Salvador on October 13, 2019 at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Richmond.
Following the successful completion of his studies at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, Boynton Beach, Florida, Deacon Reyes hopes to be ordained to the priesthood in his home diocese of Zacatecoluca, and then anticipates serving in the Diocese of Richmond for a number of years.
He began formation with the other seminarians of the Diocese of Richmond in 2015, after a sponsorship was established between the bishops of Richmond and Zacatecoluca.
Bishop Barry C. Knestout, the principal celebrant of the ordination Mass attended by more than 400 people, delivered the homily.
Instructing the deacon to “always focus on the Lord,” Bishop Knestout said, “The Gospel speaks of love — a particular call to charity. Be a minister of charity, an icon of God’s love. Assist all of us along the way to be an example of that charity. Guide the whole Church toward life and love.”