Three seminarians, Anwar Camarena of Guadalajara, Mexico, Luis Manuel Rodarte, Jr. of El Paso, Texas, and Alexander “Askee” Gutierrez Rodriguez of Venezuela, will take the next step on their long journey to the Priesthood when they are ordained Transitional Deacons August 16, 2023.

All are invited to attend the 6:30 p.m. Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral at 1118 N Mesa St. El Paso, TX 79902, to pray with Bishop Mark Seitz, D.D. who will administer the Sacrament of Holy Orders in a rite that will be witnessed by friends, families, fellow seminarians, as well as many consecrated religious, deacons, and priests.

“The ordination to the diaconate is a joyful moment for our diocese,” Bishop Seitz said. “These three seminarians have shown unwavering dedication and commitment to their faith and service to God’s people. We rejoice in welcoming them into this sacred order.”

The Transitional Deacon title refers to a transitional period in which, unlike permanent deacons who are assigned to serve in parishes around the Diocese, Transitional Deacons will spend up to one year in the assignment as they prepare pastorally and spiritually for the Priesthood and will be ordained in 2024.

We rejoice in welcoming them into this sacred order into a life of service, compassion, and love for all of God’s people in our beautiful city of El Paso. Continued blessings to them, their families, and all those whose lives they will impact. Learn how you can be a blessing to those discerning the priesthood by supporting seminarian education by visiting our Seminarian Education Fund page or reaching out to Tony Herrera Jr., Major Gifts Officer for the Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of El Paso at (915) 479-9100 or at therrera@catholicfoundationelpaso.org for more information.