oath Archives - Diocese of Venice

Eleven Permanent Diaconate candidates took the Oath of Fidelity and gave a Profession of Faith on May 27, 2025, the final hurdle before the group will be ordained as Permanent Deacons at 10 a.m., May 31, 2025, at St. Agnes Parish, 7775 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane presided over a Mass and the ceremony at Our Lady of Perpetual Retreat Center in Venice where the men were on a 5-day canonical ordination retreat. The Bishop said that the candidates should find comfort in the Holy Spirit as their ordination approaches and in their continuing service to the Church.

During the Oath, the candidates recited the Profession of Faith for all to hear. The candidates then read the “Oath of Fidelity” and promised to “adhere to the teachings, which either the Roman Pontiff or the college of bishops enunciate when they exercise authentic magisterium.” The men and the Bishop then signed the necessary documents.

The Bishop was joined by Deacon J. Robert Gaitens, Director of Diaconate Formation; and Deacon Roberto Landron, Associate Director of Diaconate Formation.

The Permanent Diaconate candidates have received training in theology, canon law and pastoral ministry, a discernment and study process that has taken five years.

As part of their formation process, the men were admitted by Bishop Dewane as acolytes in 2024 to assist priests and other Permanent Deacons on the altar during Mass. Prior to that, they were admitted as candidates when they publicly declared their intention of becoming Deacons and the Bishop accepted them. They were also instituted as lectors so they could proclaim the Gospel.

The mission of a Permanent Deacon in the Church is to: serve as a minister of charity, address the needs of others and strive to meet those needs; serve as ministers of the Word, when they proclaim the Gospel, preaching and teaching; serve as ministers of the Sacrament of Baptism; witness marriages; conduct wake and graveside services; and lead the faithful in prayer.

The candidates for Ordination to the Permanent Diaconate on May 31, 2025, are: Richard E. Dahn, St. Agnes Parish; Richard A. Hellenbrand, St. Andrew Parish, Cape Coral; Thomas A. Januszka, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish, Parrish; Stephen L. Jendrysik, Incarnation Parish, Sarasota; James N. Jenkins, St. William Parish, Naples; Ramon R. Kanacheril, St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Fort Myers; Mark A. Osterhaus, St. Agnes Parish; Orlando A. Rubiano, St. Vincent de Paul Parish; Jeff Tenbarge, St. Peter the Apostle Parish, Naples, John-William M. Trainer III, St. Peter the Apostle Parish; and Edward J. Watson, Ave Maria Parish, Ave Maria.

All are invited and encouraged to attend the Ordination of these men to the Permanent Diaconate. The Ordination will also be livestreamed, and can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/StAgnesNaples, and stagnesnaples.org.

By Mary Brown, Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary – Special to the Florida Catholic

There was recently a ray of light and hope to be found at Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary, Weston, Mass., amidst the darkness and confusion that has been surrounding the world lately. On the evening of March 24, in conjunction with sung Evening Prayer, nine men who have dedicated themselves to three years of seminary formation, made the Profession of Faith and Oath of Fidelity.

These men, including Diocese of Venice Seminarian Mark Harris, come from nine different Arch/dioceses. Harris will be ordained a Transitional Deacon on April 15 at the seminary. After one more year of formation, he is expected to be ordained to the priesthood.

Making the Profession of Faith and the Oath of Fidelity, with one’s hand placed on a Bible, is a requirement in order for a man to become a Transitional Deacon within the Catholic Church. Anyone who is given a position of leadership in the Catholic Church is required to do so. For example, a pastor taking leadership of a Parish or a priest joining the seminary faculty is required to make the profession and oath. There are many other Church positions that require one to make this profession and oath, but for these nine men especially, it was another step towards their becoming a priest.

By making this Profession of Faith, they are publicly promising a full acceptance of and commitment to all the articles of the Catholic Faith plus all that is encompassed within in the magisterial teachings of the Church. The main part of the profession is the recitation of the Nicene Creed, which all Catholics profess at Sunday Mass.

The Oath of Fidelity is a public promise to carry out their responsibilities in communion with the Church by following and obeying all Church teachings and laws. They promise to live out their faith fully in obedience to their bishops.

These men embody the commitment that it takes to follow their calling to become Catholic priests. We are honored that nine men have continued to commit to this journey and are thankful for the light that they provide to the Catholic community, especially in such trying times in the world. We are grateful to them and ask all to keep them in their prayers so that they may fully experience the joy of priesthood.

The Pope St. John XXIII Seminary community is committed to our founding mission: the human, spiritual, academic and pastoral formation of candidates aged 30 and older.

Tag: oath

Permanent Diaconate candidates make oath ahead of Ordination May 31 in Naples

Diocesan Seminarian makes oath and profession