The First of the Ordination Posts.... More to Follow

The Cathedral Altar before the beginning of Mass

Seminarian David Harris (L) and Father Jason Jalbert review before the ordination begins

Seminarian and Trinity High School Graduate Michael Sartori lights the candles

Bishop Christian (Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese of Manchester) awaits the start of Mass. Bishop Christian just had hip replacement surgery and is close to earning the record for the quickest recorded recovery.

The Ordination Mass begins as the choir and musicians open with a rousing anthem. Trinity Pioneers will notice Mr. Jeff Gratiano with an aisle seat! Jeff was a huge help this entire weekend. He dropped everything to help move tons of tables from Trinity to Ste. Marie's. Thanks Jeff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seminarian Ryan Brady sings his way up the aisle. Ryan Brady is the super seminarian as he seems to master every job given.

My classmates from the Seminary in Baltimore. Brian Lewis diocese of Wilmington (far left), Jason Hage diocese of Syracuse (center) and Tyler Bandura diocese of Greensburg (right- & no I have no idea where Greensburg is either). It was a great joy to have the guys visiting to share in the special day.

Diocese of Greensburg Seminarian Eric Dinga. Greensburg is in central Pennsylvania

Deacon Alan Tremblay processes in with the Book of the Gospels. Alan will be ordained a priest this Saturday. He is from Ste. Marie Parish and has been a good friend throughout my entire time in the Seminary. It has been neat to be from the same parish as him and to be one year behind him.

Three incredible friends and mentors, Msgr. Quinn from St. Elizabeth Seton in Bedford (Left), Fr. Richard Kelley from St. Christopher's in Nashua (Center) and Fr. Don Clinton from Ste. Marie's (Right).

Deacon Charles Pawlowski and Bishop Libasci

Bishop Libasci deep in prayer

My Parents!

A Neat photo as Seminarian Mike Zgonc holds the book and my mentor and teacher Fr. Leo Gajardo (center) looks on.

My former student David Gagnon proclaims the first reading.

Mother Mark Lewis Randall, O'Carm, a good family friend, proclaims the second reading. Mother Mark is the Superior General of the Carmelite Sisters of the Aged and Infirm. The Sisters are headquartered in Germantown, NY and work with the elderly. The order has homes across the United States and Ireland.

I am called before the Bishop during the Ordination

Fr. John Sledziona is asked to attest as to whether I am deemed worthy to be ordained a deacon. (Fr. Sledziona said yes)

(from left to right) Fr. Leo Gajardo (from the Seminary), Fr. Mark Dollard (the pastor at my summer assignment in Berlin), Fr. Paul Boudreau St. Joseph parish Belmont, Fr. Gary Belliveau pastor in Portsmouth, Fr. Paul Gousse from Holy Rosary in Rochester (my parents' parish)

I lay down on the sanctuary floor as a sign of surrender as the Cathedral choir and congregation sign the litany of saints. The litany is ancient prayer which invokes the prayer and history of the Church through her saints in history

The bishop ordains me a deacon through the laying on of hands

Fr. Cecil Donahue, OSB from Saint Anselm Abbey

Fr. Cecil and I have been close friends for the past 16 years and the moment he vested me (dressed me) as a deacon was one of the most beautiful part of the entire day. When someone becomes a deacon they are able to choose one other deacon or priest who will be given the honor of vesting them for the first time as a ordained deacon. I won't lie I filled with tears when Fr. Cecil came out and shared in this moment. Fr. Cecil has been not a spiritual mentor to me, and a good friend, he has also been like a grandfather to me.

Fr. Cecil and I embrace

I kneel before the Bishop to receive the book of the Gospels

Bishop Libasci and I embrace

Once when becomes a deacon a very touching moment is when other deacons come forward for a fraternal sign of peace. The other deacons each embrace me as a sign of welcome into the holy order of deacon. It was especially meaningful to be first welcomed by good friends Deacon Charlie and Deacon Alan who I have studied with and lived with for the past four years!

I prepare the altar for the first time as a deacon

My parents bring up the gifts

The elevation

Deacon Alan, Myself, Bishop Libasci and Deacon Charles all reverence the Altar at the end of Mass. As a new deacon this is the first time I have ever reverenced the Altar!

Some nice group photos

Former Trinity Students Eric Desjardins and Nick Richards! Nick and Eric are great friends and amazing people. Many, many, many Thanks to Nick's dad, Michael Richards, for all of these amazing photos!!!!!!!!