A Melbourne deacon has been selected to be ordained to the priesthood by Pope Leo XIV at St Peter’s Basilica this Friday. Source: Melbourne Catholic.
Deacon John Vespa remembers his first day at the seminary as if it were yesterday. Accompanied by his family, he arrived at Corpus Christi College and was warmly welcomed by fellow seminarians and formation staff.
“I remember setting up my room, unpacking all my boxes and getting everything together, and just working out what I was going to hang where,” Deacon Vespa said.
“I hung two images – one of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and one of the Sacred Heart of Mary – and a crucifix on the wall, so that as soon as you came into my bedroom, you’d see them.”
Seven years have passed since that day. On Friday, Pope Leo will ordain Deacon Vespa to the priesthood. He is one of 30 seminarians from around the world chosen to be ordained by the Pope during this Jubilee Year.
It is a joyful coincidence that his ordination falls on the feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
“Looking back now on that [first] day at the seminary, it’s an absolute blessing.”
Deacon John was stunned when he received the email from the Vatican confirming his ordination with Pope Leo XIV.
“I read it a couple of times and just thought, this is really happening now.” Soon after, Melbourne Archbishop Peter A Comensoli called to congratulate him on representing Australia at the Mass during the Jubilee.
“And ever since then it’s slowly been sinking in, but it was a lot to get my head around,” he admits. Though he had submitted his name to be ordained in Rome, he wasn’t certain he’d be selected – or if his parents would be able to make the trip.
“But when I received the news, I shared it with my family and in an instant, everyone said, ‘We’re coming!’”
FULL STORY
Deacon John Vespa to be ordained by Pope Leo XIV (Melbourne Catholic)
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