Transitional Deacons Ordained Part I

Seminarian Gabriel Garcia Santibáñez was ordained as a Transitional Deacon on Friday, May 28, 2021 by Bishop David Konderla at Holy Family Cathedral in Tulsa. 

Transitional deacons are seminary students in the process of becoming ordained priests. They serve as deacons for one year prior to being ordained by the bishop as priests. 

Both permanent and transitional deacons perform the same duties in the church. Deacons assist priests in their parish duties by visiting the sick, providing spiritual guidance in the community and acting as a servant of God. In addition, deacons can witness marriages, perform baptisms, preside over funeral and burial services outside of Mass, distribute Holy Communion and preach the homlily. 

Deacon Garcia's home parish is Saint Francis Xavier in Tulsa. God willing, Deacon Garcia will be ordained a priest in June 2022.