By Florida Catholic staff - Florida Catholic
Photographer: TOM TRACY | FC
Deacons Julio Cesar Vazquez, center, and Rikinson Bantou, right, take a selfie with Father Matthew Gomez, archdiocesan vocations director, after their ordination to the deaconate Dec. 3, 2022 at St. Mary Cathedral in Miami. The deaconate is the last step before their ordination to the priesthood.
Photographer: TOM TRACY | FC
Deacons Julio Cesar Vazquez, left, and Rikinson Bantou pose for a photo with Auxiliary Bishop Enrique Delgado, who ordained them to the deaconate Dec. 3, 2022 at St. Mary Cathedral in Miami. The deaconate is the last step before their ordination to the priesthood.
MIAMI | Auxiliary Bishop Enrique Delgado ordained two men as deacons for the Archdiocese of Miami during a ceremony Dec. 3, 2022 at St. Mary Cathedral.
Deacons Rikinson Bantou and Julio Cesar Vazquez will serve as transitional deacons, meaning they are in the process of completing their studies for ordination to the priesthood. Deacon Bantou is at St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami and Deacon Vazquez is at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach.
Unlike transitional deacons, permanent deacons are usually married men who are not aspiring to priesthood.
Deacons — both permanent and transitional — preach and teach, assist priests and bishops in the celebration of the Eucharist, and oversee ministries of charity and justice. Deacons can baptize, witness marriages, proclaim the Gospel at Mass and serve as ordinary ministers of holy Communion.
