The Cathedral was packed this morning for the ordination of twenty-two men to the permanent diaconate for service in the Archdiocese of Seattle.  These men, with the support of their wives, have been preparing for four years for this important day.


Youth psalmists bring beauty to the celebration.




The new deacons show us the face of the Church in Western Washington--they speak many languages and come from parishes across our far-flung Archdiocese.


Each candidate makes a promise of obedience to the Archbishop and his successors.


The twenty-two men lie prostrate on the altar as the entire assembly invokes the aid of the saints.






The heart of the ordination rite: the laying on of hands.




The deacons' wives bring forward the stole and dalmatic in which their husbands, now ordained deacons, are vested for the first time.


In a special fraternal sign of peace, the new deacons are greeted by our veteran deacons.