Welcome
Dear families and friends in Christ,
Welcome to the diaconate ordination webpage of the Pontifical North American College class of 2027. On October 1st, 2026, members of this class will be ordained to the diaconate in the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter. To help you plan your pilgrimage, we are pleased to provide you with the resources available on this site.
Throughout these pages, you will find general information about the diaconate, the liturgy, and the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter. Additionally, there is a page with resources that can aid you in planning your trip to the Eternal City.
Ordination to the diaconate marks the last stage in seminary formation prior to priestly ordination. This website also allows you a glimpse into the preparations undertaken by the class leading up to the ordination by posting reflections on the promises we will make at the ordination liturgy — as well as details about the ordination liturgy itself. The ordination brings about a profound change in the life of the man who receives it, as he passes from the lay to the clerical state. At the ordination, the man makes a public commitment to certain promises, namely, obedience to his ordinary, maintaining a life of chaste celibacy, and being a man of prayer — specifically by praying the Liturgy of the Hours on behalf of the Church and the world.
Through the laying on of hands and the prayer of ordination by the ordaining prelate, the man is configured to Christ the Servant and is charged with assisting Christ’s people in a new way— especially by proclaiming the Gospel, preaching, and performing works of charity.
We are blessed to have been accompanied throughout these past years of formation by the prayers and support of so many of you, and we kindly ask for your continued prayers and support as we draw nearer to the day of our diaconate ordination.
We look forward to welcoming you all to the Eternal City in October.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Brendan Finnegan ‘27, Archdiocese of Hartford
Chairman of the Diaconate Planning Committee
