Diaconate Ordinations 2015 Families gather in the Immaculate Conception Chapel for Mass the Sunday before the diaconate ordination on Thursday, October 1, 2015. After the Mass for family and friends, guests were received in the College courtyard for refreshments. Ordinandus Danny Pabon (Newark) poses for a photo with his family after Sunday Mass, four days before his ordination to the diaconate. Deacon Stephen Gadberry (Little Rock) at the College Vigil, the night before the ordination of many of his classmates to the diaconate. Acolytes Mark Mleziva (Green Bay, ’17), Grayson Heenan (Detroit, ’17), and Dennis Conway (Dubuque, ’17), lead the entrance procession to the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica. The College choir, directed by Mr. Leon Griesbach, sings for the ordination at St. Peter’s Basilica. Men about to be ordained deacons prostrate themselves as the Litany of the Saints is prayed for them. The grace of the Holy Spirit and intercession of the saints is invoked upon the ordinandi as they prostrate themselves in one of the most solemn moments of the ordination rite. Deacon Garrett Ahlers (New Ulm) receives ordination at the hands of His Eminence, Timothy Cardinal Dolan. His Eminence, Timothy Cardinal Dolan, ordaining prelate, hands on the Book of the Gospels to Deacon Sean Grismer (Rockford). Deacon Joseph Hamilton (Sydney) embraces a classmate during the Sign of Peace, shortly following their ordination to the diaconate. New deacons Brian Lenz (Lansing) and Michael Lund (Pembroke) process out of the basilica at the end of their Mass of Ordination. The newly-ordained deacons of the Class of 2016 gather for a photo shortly after their ordination at the Altar of the Chair. In addition to ordaining prelate, His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York, ten bishops and two cardinals were present for the ceremony. Deacon Joseph Baker (Madison) with friends shortly after his ordination to the diaconate at St. Peter’s Basilica. Deacon Scott Valentyn (Green Bay) pauses with his family for a photo shortly after his ordination. His Excellency Jorge Carlos Patrón Wong, Secretary for Seminaries of the Congregation for the Clergy, with the family of Deacon David Exner (San Diego), at the reception following the ordination. Newly-ordained Deacon Michal Niemczak (Santa Fe) with family at the reception following the Ordination Mass. Newly-ordained Deacon Robert Boxie (Washington) with a priest guest and Avery Daniel (Atlanta, ’19).