Originally published at Orange County Catholic
SEMINARIAN OLIVER Coughlin was ordained a transitional deacon in the Diocese of Orange by Bishop Kevin Vann during a ceremony at Christ Cathedral on Saturday, Dec. 14.
DEACON OLIVER COUGHLIN IS PICTURED WITH FR. ANGELOS SEBASTIAN, BISHOP THANH THAI NGUYEN, BISHOP KEVIN VANN, BISHOP TIMOTHY FREYER AND FR. CHEEYOON CHUN. PHOTO BY THERESE VASQUEZ
For Seminarian Coughlin, ordination as a transitional deacon is the last stage of preparation before full ordination to the priesthood.
This time will serve as a pastoral, liturgical and educational preparation period for the priesthood.
The rite of ordination began with the calling and presentation of Seminarian Coughlin as the sole candidate.
Ordination to the transitional diaconate brings about a profound change as Seminarian Coughlin made the transition from lay to the clerical state. During the ordination ceremony, he made several promises, including obedience to Bishop Vann and his successors, maintaining a life of chaste celibacy and being a man of prayer.
Then, during the Litany of Saints, Seminarian Coughlin prostrated himself face down on the altar.
This was followed by Bishop Vann’s laying of hands upon his head and the prayer of consecration.
Afterwards, Bishop Vann offered this blessing upon him:
“Send forth the
