ROME — On October 2, sixteen seminarians from the Pontifical North American College, including Mateusz Puzanowski from the Diocese of Providence, were ordained to the transitional diaconate during a celebration of the Eucharist in the Vatican City.
Bishop Joseph G. Hanefeldt of Grand Island, Nebraska, served as the ordaining prelate for the Rite of Ordination, which was celebrated at the Altar of the Chair of St. Peter, in the Papal Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican.
“Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you have become. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach,” said Bishop Hanefeldt.
Providence Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., and former Providence Auxiliary Bishop Robert C. Evans both concelebrated the Ordination Mass at the Altar of the Chair of Saint Peter.
Deacon Mateusz—whose home parish is Saint Joseph in Central Falls—will continue his theological studies and spiritual formation for another year at the Pontifical North American College in Rome before returning to the Diocese of Providence for ordination to the Sacred Priesthood.
The Pontifical North American College serves as the American seminary in Rome. Founded in 1859 by Blessed Pope Pius IX, the College has formed more than 5,000 priests near the heart of the Church for service in dioceses around the United States, Canada, and Australia. The College strengthens the bonds between Rome and local Churches worldwide, and it allows its students to study the Church’s rich religious and cultural heritage at close range.
