Holy Orders

If you know a man who is interested in a vocation to be a deacon or a priest, or maybe you are thinking about it, contact Fr. Garry or Deacon Anthony to set up an appointment.

Deacons may be married men who are at least 35 years old at the time of ordination.  

The next Diocese of Trenton formation class information sessions are:

• September 30th
• October 28th

Both sessions are at 7PM and located in the Chancery Office in Lawrenceville.  

God made you for a unique purpose. Even before you were born, He knew your vocation, your mission in life. And if you are a faithful Catholic man, God may be calling you for a higher purpose -- to become a Catholic Priest.
Priests have a critical mission: to bring people to Jesus and Jesus to people. They are spiritual fathers to thousands of Catholics. They preach the Gospel and offer the sacrifice of the Mass. In short, priests are living witnesses of Christ in the world -- men of strong character who stand out in our secular culture.

What does it mean to be a Permanent Deacon?

A deacon is a man ordained by the bishop for service in liturgy, Word and charity. He assists the bishop and his priests.

The deacon is an ordinary minister of Baptism and Holy Communion. He proclaims the Gospel at Mass, occasionally preaches, and he may officiate at weddings. He can preside at Communion services, funeral services and wakes, celebrations of the Liturgy of the Hours and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

Deacons frequently minister in preparing couples for marriage and for the Baptism of their children, in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and religious education programs.

The diaconate is a ministry of service and deacons can be found visiting the sick and homebound, visiting prisoners, helping and advocating for the poor, teaching and performing a wide variety of similar ministries.

The vast majority of deacons are married and work in regular jobs in the marketplace. Some are engaged in full-time ministry in parishes or the diocese.