Today four seminarians from the Pontifical Irish College in Rome were
ordained deacons in the fourth century Basilica of Saints John and Paul
by Archbishop Dermot Clifford, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly. During the ceremony, attended by over one hundred family members and friends from Ireland, Archbishop Clifford recalled his own diaconate fifty years ago during the time of the Second Vatican Council.
Archbishop Clifford reminded the new deacons that the life of a deacon is a life of service, particularly service of the poor. He praised the candidates for their courage in undertaking a lifelong commitment to celibacy and service.
He reminded the four new deacons that the election of Pope Francis has signalled a time of hope and joy for the universal Church.
Liam Boyle (25) of the Diocese of Raphoe entered the seminary following completion of his secondary education. Three of those ordained are graduates of Trinity College, Dublin.
Brian Fitzpatrick (35) of the Diocese of Dromore is a medical doctor and past winner of the Young Scientists competition.
Dominic McGrattan (29) of the Diocese of Down and Connor is a graduate in law while Pat O’Donoghue (35) of the Diocese of Cloyne is a pharmacy graduate.
All four deacons are currently studying theology at the Jesuit-run Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome following previous seminary studies for three of them at Saint Patrick’s College Maynooth and for the other at Saint Malachy’s College, Belfast.
Ordination to the diaconate is most often received one year prior to ordination to the priesthood.
The Irish College in Rome dates from 1628 and has been educating generations of priests for service in Ireland’s twenty six dioceses since then.
The four deacons were among students of the Irish College who assisted newly elected Pope Francis during the Good Friday liturgy in Saint Peter’s Basilica on Friday last.
Commenting on the ordination of the four deacons, the Rector of the College, Monsignor Ciaran O’Carroll, said that “it is heartening to witness the courage and dedication of these four men as they begin their life of ministry and service of the Gospel and the Catholic Church in Ireland”.