Last summer of 2007, I had the privilege of traveling to the Holy Land in Israel as well as South Africa and Mozambique in Africa.  Both were great experiences for me that I will never forget.  One allowed me to walk and pray in the very footsteps of Christ while the other provided me with an opportunity to work with Habitat for Humanity in a culture that was completely new and exotic to me, but one that I had dreamed about for many years, namely Africa.  Both experiences will not only stick with my whole life, but hopefully will also influence and improve how I minister and preach the Gospel message to those I am called to serve in the Church as a transitional deacon.

Now, as I look back on April of 2008, I once again have experienced two wonderful and powerful events that I'm definite will be with me my entire life.  On April 19, I had the great opportunity to travel to Yonkers, NY - as did some other Toledo seminarians - with 25 other seminarians and 2

priests from Mount St. Mary's Seminary.  Once there, I was privileged to see in person the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI!  What a great feeling and experience that was!  Just 15 feet away from the stage (and the Holy Father) and after waiting 7 hours on my feet in the hot sun, I was so excited when the Holy Father finally appeared on the stage.  Amid all the other seminarians as well as priests, religious, and youth, it was a surreal experience.  And if that wasn't enough, hearing the Pope speak about perseverance, courage, and prayer - things that promote holiness in today's day and age - was like "icing on the cake" and made me forget all about my tired and sore feet.  It truly was a great experience meant to instill hope in the Church of America, which I believe was accomplished.

Following that experience, just one week later, on April 26, I was ordained to the Transitional Diaconate with 9 other seminarians (2 from the Toledo Diocese and 7 from the Cincinnati Archdiocese).  What a humbling, powerful, and awesome experience!  I was so happy afterwards that I think I was smiling the whole day.  As I was going into the Cathedral that morning at 11:00am, I was a little more nervous than usual.  All I could think of was what was I supposed to do and when I was supposed to do it. 

However, during the Litany of the Saints, when the whole Church invokes the saints for us those to be ordained, something powerful came over me.  And when I stood up after lying down during the Litany, I was no longer nervous.  Rather, I was calm, ready, and alert.  I was fully prepared to receive Holy Orders and all that goes along with it.  In fact, I couldn't imagine not being ordained a deacon that day.  I had truly felt, and still do, that this is indeed where God is calling me and that He has given me the graces needed to following this calling.  Therefore, there was no other option that day - I was to be ordained a Transitional Deacon in front of many of my family and friends who traveled a long distance to be present for my ordination that day.  Realizing all this, I feel extremely blessed and continue to thank God every day for my vocation as well as ask for the graces and strength to perform my ministry as best I can so as to spread the Good News and lead people to the kingdom of God.

Now, I am just days away from the end of my academic year.  With just one more year to go of seminary and before priesthood ordination, I am filled with excitement and a new burst of energy to minister to the People of God.  This summer, I have been blessed to do exactly this at Transfiguration of the Lord Parish in Upper Sandusky.  I am looking forward to this experience and hope it will provide me with yet more opportunities to grow and deepen in my loving relationship with Jesus Christ.  I ask for your continual prayers for me, all seminarians, and all those discerning their vocation to the priesthood and religious life.  May God bless you and your families.

Praying for you as you pray for me, Deacon Jason