Posted May 16, 2013

Archbishop Charles Chaput ordained six new transitional deacons on Saturday, May 11 at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.  The deacons will serve in a parish during the next year prior to their expected ordination as priests in May 2014.

Rev. Mr. Jason Buck is from SS. Simon and Jude Parish in West Chester and has been assigned to Mary, Mother of the Redeemer in North Wales. Rev. Mr. Sean English from St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Drexel Hill has been assigned to St. Pius X in Broomall. Rev. Mr. Robert Gross from St. Agnes Parish in West Chester has been assigned to Our Lady of Guadalupe in Buckingham. Rev. Mr. Christopher Moriconi from St. Pius X Parish in Broomall has been assigned to St. Andrew in Newtown.  Rev. Mr. Charles Ravert from St. John the Baptist Parish in Manayunk has been assigned to St. John the Evangelist in Morrisville.  Rev. Mr. David Waters Jr. from St. Peter in West Brandywine has been assigned to St. Patrick in Norristown. (Photos by Sarah Webb)

  • Bishop Timothy Senior, rector of St. Charles Seminary, presents Sean English, Jason Buck, Christopher Moriconi, Robert Gross, David Waters Jr. and Charles Ravert to Archbishop Charles Chaput.

  • Jason Buck promises obedience to Archbishop Chaput and his successors at the diaconate ordination on May 11.

  • Robert Gross and David Waters Jr. lay prostrate in prayer during their ordination.

  • During ordination the six men lay prostrate during the litany of saints.

  • By the laying on of hands and prayer, Archbishop Chaput ordains Sean English a deacon during his ordination.

  • Christopher Moriconi prays as he is ordained a deacon by the laying of hands by Archbishop Chaput.

  • Sean English kisses his stole before being vested with the dalmatic, a vestment worn by a deacon, by Deacon John Farrell.

  • Archbishop Charles Chaput places the Book of the Gospels in the hands of Robert Gross and says, “receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you now are. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach.”

  • Deacon Charles Ravert shares a kiss of peace with Archbishop Chaput during the ordination.

  • Archbishop Charles Chaput offers a kiss of peace to the newly ordained deacon, David Waters Jr.

  • Newly ordained Deacon Robert Gross serves as Deacon of the Eucharist during his ordination Mass.

  • Deacons Sean English, Christopher Moriconi and David Waters Jr. joyfully recess from Mass after their ordination.

  • Newly ordained deacons (top, from left) Robert Gross, Charles Ravert, (middle) Sean English, Jason Buck, David Waters Jr. and Christopher Moriconi pose with Bishop Timothy Senior, Archbishop Charles Chaput and Bishop Michael Fitzgerald.