This spring, 12 Sacred Heart seminarians will be ordained transitional deacons for the (arch)dioceses of Detroit, Gaylord, Lansing, Kalamazoo, Toledo, and the Chaldean Diocese of St. Thomas the Apostle U.S.A. Seminarians with the Companions of the Cross and the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT) religious orders will also be ordained.
As the seminarians prepare for the sacrament of Holy Orders, several shared their reflections with Mosaic.
Paul Keenan, a seminarian with the Diocese of Lansing, describes the transitional diaconate year as “an incredible period of moving from preparation to actualization.”
“What you have studied in sacraments courses, you get to start doing; what you have learned in theology and Scripture courses, you get to start sharing,” Keenan said. “Finally, the well that the Lord has been digging in your soul can begin to give water.”
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus, it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry (CCC 1536).”
“For me, this step is sacred and personal as I am receiving the sacrament of Holy Orders and formally committing to obedience and celibacy,” said Matthew Bakkal of the Eparchy of St. Thomas. “This is not a graduation or promotion; this is my union with our Lord’s Church. For me, to be called ‘Deacon’ and — in time — ‘Father’ means my lifelong sacramental commitment to the Church and the people of God.”
The soon-to-be deacons appreciate the preparation Sacred Heart has provided.
“The past five years of prayer and study have equipped me to bring the saving truth of Jesus to my parishioners,” said Detroit seminarian Anthony Riley.
Brother Gregory Rice, SOLT, is grateful for the “goodness of the faculty” in their powerful witness of joyful discipleship, especially the priests who teach at Sacred Heart.
“Particularly for me, the seminary has provided models of priesthood who are fervently devoted and who provoke inspiration,” Brother Rice said. “Being with them every day calls me on, as well as encourages me and reminds me of the goal.”
Seminarians meet monthly with their formation adviser as they move closer toward diaconate ordination.
“I have found it very fruitful to receive sound guidance and constructive critique from priests who have my best interest in mind and who are committed to my formation in particular,” Bakkal said.
The 12 seminarians look forward to their diaconate ministry and pray the next year will be fruitful as they prepare for the priesthood.
“I am excited for my year as a deacon, for everything I will finally be able to do, but also for those things I will not yet get to do,” Keenan said. “I pray that as I continue to wait for the full fruition of priesthood, I may continue to grow, to learn how to receive more, and to give more from what I have been given.”
Riley requests prayers for himself and his fellow seminarians, and also for vocations.
“God’s people need young men willing to courageously respond to His call,” Riley said. “If the Lord is calling a man to the priesthood, His people need him to step forward in faith — there is work to be done!”
Ordination Masses for the transitional diaconate will be celebrated in each diocese listed below, beginning with the Archdiocese of Detroit on April 11. Brother Rice, who will be ordained with the AOD seminarians, looks forward to being joined by his parents, three of his sisters, 18 nieces and nephews, and friends from his hometown of Philadelphia, along with SOLT priests, consecrated brothers and sisters, and volunteers.
Archdiocese of Detroit – Charles Bemiss, Joseph Lennon, Anthony Riley; Br. Gregory Rice, SOLT
- Date: April 11, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.
- Location: Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, MI
- Celebrant: Archbishop Emeritus Allen H. Vigneron
Eparchy of St. Thomas – Matthew Bakkal, Eddie Dickow
- Date: May 3, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.
- Location: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chaldean Catholic Church, Warren, MI
- Celebrant: Most Rev. Francis Y. Kalabat
Companions of the Cross – Matthew Marin
- Date: May 15, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
- Location: St. Timothy Parish, North York, Ontario, Canada
- Celebrant: Most Rev. Christian Riesbeck, CC
Diocese of Kalamazoo– Hector Saldarriaga Cadavid
- Date: May 16, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.
- Location: St. Augustine Cathedral in Kalamazoo, MI
- Celebrant: Most Rev. Edward M. Lohse
Diocese of Toledo – Evan Sekerak
- Date: May 16, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.
- Location: Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral, Toledo, OH
- Celebrant: Most Reverend Daniel E. Thomas
Diocese of Gaylord – Jake Belanger
- Date: June 6, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.
- Location: St. Mary Cathedral, Gaylord, MI
- Celebrant: Most Rev. Jeffrey J. Walsh
Diocese of Lansing – James Bonar, Paul Keenan
- Date: June 6, 2026 at 10:30 a.m.
- Location: St. Thomas Aquinas in East Lansing, MI
- Celebrant: Most Rev. Earl Boyea