SW News: The Catholic Church in the US and Australia is rejoicing as it has received 23 new transitional deacons. The young deacons were ordained on the day of the feast of Archangels at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

The ceremony on September 29 was presided over by Bishop Austin A Vetter of Helena Diocese in the USA’s Montana. Commemorating the feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Bishop Austin urged the new deacons to be “true messengers of God, proclaiming with your whole selves the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Cheering the deacons to impersonate the archangels, the prelate stated, “With the help of St. Michael, fighting against the Evil One; with the help of St. Gabriel, being a herald of the Incarnation; and with the help of St. Raphael, bringing healing to the people of God.”

The deacons hail from the Archdiocese of Sydney and 17 dioceses in the United States. Interestingly, the bishop’s nephew Steven J. Vetter, who hails from the Diocese of Bismarck, North Dakota, was among the new deacons.

At the ordination Mass at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica, Bishop Vetter thanked the 23 men for saying “yes” to God and the church.

Bishop Vetter also urged the new deacons to “bump into Jesus through his people, no matter how insignificant they appear to the world.”

The newly ordained transitional deacons will continue their priestly studies at the Pontifical North American College. Transitional deacons will be ordained priests in the near future, unlike permanent deacons.

Bishop Vetter served as the former director of spiritual formation at the North American College from 2012 to 2018.