Fifteen permanent Catholic deacons are set to be ordained at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago on Saturday, May 10, 2025. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m., with Bishop Lawrence Sullivan, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Chicago, serving as the main celebrant and delivering the homily. These newly ordained deacons will be assigned to various parishes across several locations including Blue Island, Chicago, Cicero, Des Plaines, Flossmoor, Inverness, Lake Forest, Mundelein, Niles, Oak Lawn, River Forest, Skokie, Wadsworth, Wauconda and Waukegan.

The ordination will be available for viewing via livestream on the archdiocese’s YouTube channel Catholic Chicago.

Cardinal Blase J. Cupich expressed his sentiments about the ordination: “As we ordain these men to the sacred order of the diaconate, we rejoice in the gift they are to the Church.” He added that deacons serve as "visible signs of Christ the Servant" and their ministry is vital to strengthening the mission of the Church.

In Catholic tradition, those preparing for priesthood are called transitional deacons. They are seminarians who continue their studies after being ordained as deacons. Permanent deacons include married men or single men committed to celibacy who do not plan to become priests.

The responsibilities of these new deacons include assisting bishops and priests in ministries related to Word, Liturgy and Charity. Their duties encompass proclaiming the Gospel and conducting various religious services such as baptisms and marriages. Deacons also focus on identifying needs within communities and managing resources accordingly.

The formation process for permanent deacons involves a four-year program offered by the University of Saint Mary of the Lake in Mundelein. This program covers human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral aspects along with a year-long parish pastoral ministry internship.

This year's candidates for diaconate come from diverse backgrounds and parishes:

- Deacon Miguel Garcia Prado – Saint Donatus in Blue Island

- Deacon Gabriel Gomez and Ilda Rivera – Most Blessed Trinity in Waukegan

- Deacon Rodrigo and Angelica Gomez – Our Lady of Fatima Saint Pancratius Parish in Chicago

- And others listed similarly

Additionally noted are two candidates who will be ordained later on July 19 at Santa Maria Del Popolo by Bishop Mark Bartosic.

The Archdiocese of Chicago hosts one of the largest Catholic diaconate communities globally with 459 active deacons across 184 parishes since its inception in 1972.