By Florida Catholic staff - Florida Catholic
Photographer: COURTESY PHOTO
Salesian Bishop Luc Van Looy of Ghent, Belgium, lays hands on Deacon Matthew DeGance, ordaining him a "priest forever."
The ordination took place July 2 in Our Lady of the Valley Church in Orange, N.J. Salesian Bishop Luc Van Looy of Ghent, Belgium, presided at the Mass and carried out the ordination. He was joined by Bishop Dominic Marconi, auxiliary bishop emeritus of the Newark Archdiocese, and 43 concelebrating priests.
Photographer: COURTESY PHOTO
Father Matthew DeGance grew up in Fort Lauderdale and studied physical therapy before joining the Salesian Order.
The DeGance family�s friendship with several Salesians nurtured in Matthew a love for Saint John Bosco and a vocational seed that had already been planted by his family. In 1999, he entered the formation program of the Salesians of Don Bosco at Orange. He was admitted to the novitiate the following year, and made his first profession of religious vows in New York City on Aug. 16, 2001.
After some years of post-novitiate formation, Brother DeGance was assigned to Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey from 2005 to 2007. He taught biology and theology, directed an intramural sports program, was an assistant coach of varsity, JV, and freshman volleyball, and contributed to the school�s campus ministry program.
From the fall of 2007 until June 2011, he studied theology at Sts. Peter and Paul Salesian Theological School in Jerusalem, also called the Ratisbonne Monastery, which is affiliated with the Salesian Pontifical University in Rome. He took full advantage of his closeness to the biblical holy places and the opportunity to connect the Scriptures with his daily life experience. He was also a talented tour guide for Salesians visiting from other parts of the world.
Father DeGance said that being a consecrated Salesian is �a great gift� from God, one that he would encourage any young person to accept without fear. �The Salesian vocation is rich in peace and in the happiness of doing God�s will,� Father DeGance said.
He offered a Mass of thanksgiving at his home parish of St. John the Baptist on July 10.
His first assignment as a priest will be as a teacher at Archbishop Shaw High School in Marrero, La., a suburb of New Orleans.
