'It was all grace;' Diocesan seminarians serve with Pope Leo
Back in late July or early August, Deacon Paul Sizemore approached Very Rev. Gregory B. Wilson, vicar general and director of seminarians, about the possibility of allowing him and me to go to Rome. We wanted to attend the canonization of now-St. Bartolo Longo, and six others, in October.
Back in late July or early August, Deacon Paul Sizemore approached Very Rev. Gregory B. Wilson, vicar general and director of seminarians, about the possibility of allowing him and me to go to Rome. We wanted to attend the canonization of now-St. Bartolo Longo, and six others, in October.
Father Wilson said he could not let us miss our formation classes to go to Rome. So, I asked: what if we were the deacons for that Mass? Then could we go? He replied that if we could pull that off, we definitely would be allowed to attend.
Deacon Sizemore and I wanted to be at this particular celebration because the new St. Bartolo Longo is the first member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher to be canonized. To the best of our knowledge, Deacon Sizemore and I are the only transitional deacons/seminarians in the order in the world. The Equestrian Order, as a rule, does not allow seminarians to join, but we'd each joined before entering seminary.
Deacon Sizemore set off trying to find contact information for the appropriate parties at the Vatican. He was able to track down an email address for the Prefecture of the Papal Household. The prefecture prepares all audiences and visits from those who are formally received by the Holy Father. It is also responsible for arranging pontifical ceremonies, and ceremonies for the College of Cardinals and the Roman Curia.
The prefecture got back to Deacon Sizemore quickly, supplying him with contact information for the Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff. He sent a letter via email to that office, though did not expect to hear back.
In the meantime, I asked the rector of our seminary, St. Vincent in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, if we could attend the canonization. To my surprise, he gave us permission. Father Wilson was surprised and, in turn, granted his permission.
On Friday, Oct. 3, Deacon Sizemore received an email from the Papal MC's office, stating they had received the request and asked that a letter of good standing be sent from either the seminary or the diocese. Both Benedictine Father Edward Mazich, seminary rector, and Father Wilson supplied letters, which were emailed to Rome that weekend.
Deacon Sizemore heard back on Monday, Oct. 6, and he was told that our request had been approved. We were asked to be present in St. Peter's Square at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18 for a rehearsal. We gladly accepted.
When we arrived that morning, there were six deacons; usually there are several deacons at a given Papal Mass. But, Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, informed us that we would be Pope Leo XIV's attending deacons. This meant we would lead the Holy Father in the procession, kiss the altar with him and sit at his right and left.
Bishop Jacques Fabre-Jeune, CS, asked us how we managed to pull this off.
Deacon Sizemore replied, "Grace. It was all grace."
Deacon J. Michael Tracy, KCHS, is a seminarian for the Diocese of Charleston whose expected ordination to the priesthood will be in 2026.
