“What we celebrate today is a love story.”
That’s how Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop Brian Nunes described the journeys of the seven men ordained as transitional deacons Nov. 23 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, the final step before becoming priests.
“This is the next logical step in these lives where much love has been received,” said Nunes, who presided the 9 a.m. Ordination Mass. “Now much love will be shared. What this love will look like in action only God knows. It will differ from person to person and from moment to moment.”
For Paul Collins, Michael Croghan, Joseph Cruz, Johndy Gonzales, Jorge Moncada, Christian Morquecho, Quoc Vo, the moment itself looked a little different compared to diaconate ordinations of past years.
Until this year, transitional deacons for the LA Archdiocese were traditionally ordained in May or June, a full year before ordination to the priesthood. As deacons, they would split that year helping at a parish and wrapping up formation and studies at St. John’s Seminary.
But thanks to new guidelines issued by the U.S. bishops and approved by the Vatican’s Congregation for Clergy, this year’s class followed a whole new program.
Having already finished their studies, they will now move into a parish to serve full-time as deacons, preparing them to do the same as priests at that same parish after being ordained priests in June 2025.
The class also includes Allan Carodan, who will be ordained a deacon in the Philippines but will return to the archdiocese and be ordained a priest in LA.
New deacon Michael Croghan said he likes the switched up timetable because it will give him more hands-on experience administering the sacraments and preaching before becoming a priest.
“It’s going to feel like you’re in this new role, more so than when you’re a seminarian because you’re still going to classes. I like it.”
Following the ordination, Croghan was surrounded by parents, siblings, cousins and more, even holding a newborn baby family member at one point.
His mother, who was born in Mexico, helped convert his father to the Catholic faith and everything fell into place from there, said Croghan’s father, also named Michael.
“We’re so happy for him,” the elder Croghan said. “We’ve been looking forward to this for a long time. He’s going to be a great deacon and next year a great priest.”
Many of the newly ordained deacons said they were grateful to be joined by their families, even from the get-go.
To start the ordination Mass, the deacons-to-be processed down the center aisle of the cathedral, finally stopping at the front pews to sit with their family and loved ones.
When it was time for the Rite of Ordination to begin, the men walked up to Bishop Nunes and answered in unison “I do” to the Promise of the Elect questions.
They then knelt one-by-one in front of the bishop to answer a promise of obedience before laying prostrate, face down around the altar while the Litany of the Saints was sung.
When the seven stood, some wiping a few tears from their eyes, they knelt again before Bishop Nunes for the laying on of hands, a special blessing that invokes the Holy Spirit upon them.
After that, it was all smiles.
A crew of priests brought each of the newly ordained deacons their stole and dalmatic and helped slip them over their heads, punctuated by a hug.
The bishops and deacons in attendance went up one by one to give the kiss of peace to each newly ordained deacon.
“We have seven new deacons for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles,” Bishop Nunes announced and the audience stood and applauded.
As hundreds lined up outside in the cathedral’s plaza for first blessings, the deacons walked out to applause, their faces awash with a mixture of gratitude, happiness and relief.
“I’m feeling a lot of things, most of all feeling grateful,” said Deacon Morquecho. “It’s really cool to be with all my family and friends, getting a chance to celebrate with them, pray with them. It’s awesome to see the LA archdiocese so alive.”
Mia Del Rosario, a parishioner at Holy Trinity Church in Atwater Village, was in line to support Deacon Vo, who she had gotten to know while he was at the parish during his internship.
“He’s very approachable,” Del Rosario said. “The parishioners were drawn to him. He has an effortless ease when he’s talking to people. He’s very genuine.
“He’s a refreshing addition to the archdiocese. We feel like his family. We couldn’t be more proud.”
For Deacon Collins, he was incredulous — “dreams come true” — knowing how many miles away he was from where he first thought about becoming a priest: Peru.
He went to South America to become a missionary, then continued to discern before it brought him back to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
Now he plans to be in the archdiocese for a few years before going off to serve as a Navy chaplain, who he said has the biggest need out of all the military branches. Even Timothy Broglio, archbishop of the Military Services, USA and president of the USCCB, was in attendance at the ordination Mass.
“What I see in the missionary life is going to people where they’re at, especially bringing the peace of Christ to people in difficult circumstances,” Collins said.
No matter where the next leg of their journey takes them, with Jesus by their side and love in their hearts, the newly ordained deacons are ready for the next step.
“It takes the pressure off,” Croghan said. “That’s what I felt most strongly is the pressure lifting because it’s not about me. God is good. As long as I stay on that path and stay connected, things will turn out OK.”
