May 3, 2024
Bishop Barry C. Knestout has called to holy orders three seminarians from the Catholic Diocese of Richmond to serve in the transitional diaconate. As they continue in their vocational journey, seminarians Andrew Clark, Samuel Hill, and Matthew Kelly will be ordained as transitional deacons at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Richmond on Saturday, May 18, 2024.
Deacons are an ordained minister of the Catholic Church. They can assist at Mass by proclaiming the Gospel, preaching the homily, serving at the altar, baptizing new members of the Church, witnessing marriages and conducting funeral services. The role of the transitional deacon differs from the permanent deacon as it is a period of transition before being fully ordained into the priesthood.
Ordination will be held at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart at 10:30 am on May 18, 2024. The ordination Mass is open to the public and all are encouraged to join in celebrating the ordination of these three men. For those unable to attend the Mass in person, a livestream will be available on the diocesan website and our YouTube channel. Please join us in person or virtually to celebrate this important milestone for our seminarians.
Called to Serve in the Transitional Diaconate are:
Seminarian Andrew Clark
Andrew, 25, felt the call to the priesthood from a young age and spent much of his adolescence discerning his vocation. Originally from Virginia Beach, he first attended St. John Paul II Seminary for his undergrad degree before attending major seminary at Theological College, Washington DC, for the rest of his formation. He is in his third year of formation and his home parish is St. Mark, Virginia Beach.
Seminarian Samuel Hill
Samuel, 29, is a native of Bedford and was received into the Church while attending Virginia Tech. He first felt called to the priesthood during college after converting to Catholicism and soon began formation at St. John Paul II Seminary. Samuel later began attending Pontifical North American College in Rome. He is currently in his third year of formation and his home parish is Holy Name of Mary in Bedford.
Seminarian Matthew Kelly
Matthew, 31, and originally from Manassas, incorporates his love for music in his vocation and ministry. Attending both Christopher Newport University and Notre Dame to study music, Matthew felt called to the priesthood for several years before beginning seminary at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, M.D. His home parish is Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Newport News, and is in his fourth year of formation.
For more information about all our seminarians and their own call to the priesthood, click here. To watch the livestream of the ordination of these men click here.
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