Diocese of Venice Seminarian Joseph Doherty took a major step toward his dream of becoming a priest when he was ordained to the Transitional Diaconate during a Mass celebrated at the Altar of the Chair of St. Peter, in the Papal Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican, in Rome, on Oct. 3, 2024.
Celebrated by Most Reverend Alexander Sample, Archbishop of Portland, Oregon, the ordination of 15 men from the Pontifical North American College is one of the final steps toward priesthood.
Present for the ordination were Deacon Doherty’s family as well as Father Alex Pince, Diocesan Director of Vocations.
Following the ordination, Deacon Doherty expressed his joy at reaching this moment in his spiritual journey, hardly believing the experience of being ordained as a servant of the Universal Church in St. Peter’s Basilica.
During the ordination, the Deacons promised to live a life of prayer, celibacy, and obedience to their Diocesan Bishops. As part of the ordination Rite, the Bishop placed the Book of Gospels in the hands of each candidate being ordained and said: “Receive the Gospels of Christ, whose herald you have become. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach.” An additional year of theological study and spiritual formation will follow before the Deacons are ordained to the priesthood in their home Dioceses.
At the ordination Mass, Archbishop Sample encouraged the Deacon Candidates in his homily to remember that everything that a deacon does, everything a priest does, and everything a bishop does, flows from their identity with Jesus Christ who identifies himself as a servant, the suffering servant to whom they as deacons are called to configure themselves.
“The Son of Man does not come to be served but to serve,” said Archbishop Sample. “You are taking on the identity of Christ who laid his life down to serve, to be a slave.” He then went on to say, “I am here to remind you, it is not about you, it is about Jesus Christ who has called you. He has called you to this moment on this day to lay down your lives to himself and his bride, the Church.”
Deacon Doherty was born in Pennsylvania, growing up in a small town outside of Philadelphia. His family lived close to the nearest Catholic church, where he spent increasing amounts of time visiting to pray before the Most Blessed Sacrament, then as a sacristan and a volunteer cleaner. Upon graduating high school, Deacon Doherty studied mathematics, pollical economy and government at Ave Maria University in Florida. Upon graduation, he worked for Hertz Corporation for several years while earning an advanced degree in systems engineering from Penn State University.
Though engineering was a career goal, Deacon Doherty felt continually moved to discern the priesthood, crediting his time in adoration as being formative in encouraging his vocation. This call also grew while teaching youth catechesis and sacramental preparation. Once accepted as a Diocese of Venice seminarian, he completed his philosophy studies at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach before continuing his studies in Rome. He recently earned an advanced theology degree from Pontifical Gregorian University there.
While a seminarian, Deacon Doherty served pastoral assignments at St. Leo the Great Parish in Bonita Springs, St. William Parish in Naples, and St. Francis Xavier Parish in Fort Myers. While in Rome, he did weekly apostolate work with the Missionaries of Charity and Notre Dame students. He is a Third-Degree Knight of Columbus and an Eagle Scout, and is expected to be ordained to the priesthood in 2025.
Please pray for Deacon Doherty and each of the Diocese of Venice Seminarians who continue to discern their vocation and develop in formation for the priesthood.
Parishioners from around the Diocese are encouraged to help support the seminarians in their studies and choice of vocation through prayer and financial assistance. Donations can be made by visiting https://dioceseofvenice.org/ways-to-give/ or sent to: Diocese of Venice, Office of Vocations, 1000 Pinebrook Road, Venice, FL 34285.
For more information about the seminarians or Vocations, contact Father Alex Pince at pince@dioceseofvenice.org or 941-486-4720, or visit www.venicevocations.com.
Joseph Corboy Doherty, a Seminarian of the Diocese of Venice in Florida, was among a group of men who were conferred the Ministry of Lector, Jan. 16, 2022, in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at the Pontifical North American College, Vatican City State.
As part of the rite, the Archbishop placed the Holy Scriptures in the hands of each candidate and said, “Take this book of Holy Scripture and be faithful in handing on the word of God, so that it may grow strong in the hearts of His people.”
Present for the ordination were Deacon Chami’s immediate family and a few from his extended family. Also present in Rome was Bishop Frank J. Dewane who was one of the principle concelebrants; Father Alexander Pince (ordained in July 2021 and is completing his studies in Rome); as well as Diocesan Seminarians Daniel Scanlan (the cross-bearer for the Ordination Mass) and Joseph Doherty who are both studying at the Pontifical North American College.
Since joining the Diocese as a seminarian, Deacon Chami has served pastoral assignments at St. Leo the Great Parish in Bonita Springs, Incarnation Parish in Sarasota, Ss. Peter and Paul the Apostles Parish in Bradenton and St. Francis Xavier Parish in Fort Myers.
