From the diocesan news site Angelus: 

As an electronics systems engineer at Raytheon, a major U.S. defense contractor based in El Segundo, Ariel Santiago knows a few things about teamwork and difficult missions.

When in a team meeting to discuss an upcoming satellite launch, for example, his colleagues — who come from varied religious backgrounds — know who he’s turning to to calm the tension.

“I tell them our program has a secret weapon: It’s God,” said Santiago. “They might laugh a little, but they know where I’m coming from.”

Like the 17 other men ordained permanent deacons for the Archdiocese of LA at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on June 7, Santiago now looks forward to being a force for unity in their professional roles — as well as their parish ones.

“We have to unite the Church for everyone, not just Catholics,” said Santiago, citing inspiration from Pope Leo XIV, the late Pope Francis, and Archbishop José H. Gomez.

The ordination of Santiago and his classmates had a symbolic importance for the Church in LA, marking 50 years since Cardinal Timothy Manning ordained the first class of permanent deacons for Los Angeles in 1975, a decade after the ministry was restored by the Second Vatican Council.

One from that inaugural group, retired Deacon Hosea Martin Alexander Sr., who served at St. Agatha Church and Holy Name of Jesus Church, both in Los Angeles, was acknowledged at the ordination Mass by Archbishop Gomez.

“I know this may be my last time, but I’m glad I made it,” said Alexander, who at 94 and in a wheelchair made it known he was the first ordained deacon because he came first alphabetically from his group.

Since then, nearly 450 men have been ordained permanent deacons to assist in parishes across the archdiocese’s five pastoral regions.

“I think there is a wonderful future for the permanent diaconate because deacons are models of Jesus Christ, the servant,” said Deacon Chris Amantea, who with his wife Yvonne oversees Diaconate Formation for the archdiocese.

Read more and see more pictures at the link. 

Congratulations, brothers, and welcome! Ad multos annos! 

Photo: John McCoy/Angelus