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Three from Jesuits West Ordained Deacons

November 3, 2020 — This fall, three Jesuits from the Jesuits West Province were ordained to the diaconate at two different Masses across the United States.

2020 Boston deacons Eight Jesuits were ordained to the diaconate in Boston Sept. 19, including two from Jesuits West, Xavier Benavides, SJ, and Martin Ngo, SJ.

On Sept. 19, two members of Jesuits West, Xavier Benavides, SJ, and Martin Ngo, SJ, were among eight Jesuits ordained as deacons and two as priests by Cardinal Seán O’Malley, OFM Cap, Archbishop of Boston, at St. Ignatius Church in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. These newly ordained deacons are students at the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry.

On Oct. 24, eight more Jesuits were ordained as deacons by the Most Reverend Michael C. Barber, SJ, Bishop of Oakland, at the Church of Santa Maria in Orinda, California, including John Guyol, SJ, from Jesuits West. These new deacons are currently studying theology at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University in Berkeley, California.

JST 2020 ordination
Eight Jesuits were ordained to the diaconate on Oct. 24 in Orinda, California, including John Guyol, SJ, from Jesuits West.

Jack Krouse, SJ, (center) with other newly ordained Jesuit deacons

Additionally, Jack Krouse, SJ, of Jesuits West was ordained to the diaconate on June 20 in Paris.

For Jesuits in formation, ordination to the diaconate is the final step in preparation for priestly ordination in the Society of Jesus. Deacons proclaim the Gospel, preach and teach in the name of the church. As ministers of sacraments, they baptize, witness marriages and conduct wake and funeral services.

As deacons, they will continue their studies and be assigned to parishes until next summer when they will be ordained to the priesthood and receive their first missions as Jesuit priests.