Bishop John Noonan | Diocese of Orland website

Presiding over the ordination of 14 transitional deacons on March 29, 2025, Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami described it as “a blessed day for the church here in Florida.” Of these candidates, eight were from the Archdiocese of Miami, four from the Diocese of St. Augustine, one from the Diocese of Palm Beach, and a 32-year-old, Sinclair Cushmore, from the Diocese of Orlando.

The ceremony took place at St. Joan of Arc Church in Boca Raton, attended by numerous priests, deacons, and laypeople. Bishop Erik T. Pohlmeier of St. Augustine, Nicaraguan Bishop Silvio José Báez from the St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, Bishop-designate Gregg M. Caggianelli of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, and retired Bishop Fernando Isern were present.

Archbishop Wenski opened the ordination with a prayer, emphasizing the role of deacons as servants of the church. Father Alfredo Hernández, rector/president of St. Vincent de Paul Seminary, vouched for the readiness of the men for the role of deacon during the ceremony.

“These men are ordained as transitional deacons... They hope, with the help of God’s grace, to be called to the presbyterate and to be an ordained priest, hopefully next year,” said Archbishop Wenski. He added, “Pope St. John Paul II spoke about the diaconate as the ‘sacramentalizing service in the church.’ ... Deacons... are to be visible and effective signs of service, or charity.”

He urged the new deacons to demonstrate fidelity to the Gospel, saying, “You must help the world to discover... the truth that is a person — Jesus Christ.” The archbishop also spoke briefly in Creole and Spanish before the deacon candidates took vows of service, obedience, celibacy, and prayer. The men lay prostrate as a sign of humility, following which they received the vestments symbolizing their new role.

Deacon Cushmore was aided in donning his stole and dalmatic by Father Mazen Mike Elias of the Diocese of St. Augustine. Concluding the Mass, Father Hernández expressed gratitude to all involved in the ordination, including the formation staff of several seminaries, emphasizing the importance of ongoing support and prayer for the new deacons’ journey toward priesthood.

“To all of the families and friends... enjoy being with your newly ordained deacons this weekend,” said Father Hernández. Encouraging continued prayers for all deacon candidates globally, he highlighted the support as essential for their future roles.

For those interested, the diaconate ordination Mass can be viewed on the St. Vincent de Paul Seminary website and Facebook page.