Jacob Tschida, 15 other seminarians ordained deacons in Rome

Deacon Jacob Tschida, a seminarian for the Diocese of Duluth, was ordained to the diaconate Oct. 3 at St. Peter’s in Rome. (Photo courtesy of the Pontifical North American College)

On Thursday, Oct. 3, 15 seminarians from the Pontifical North American College were ordained to the transitional diaconate during a celebration of the Holy Mass of Ordination, including the Rev. Mr. Jacob Tschida of the Diocese of Duluth. 

His Excellency the Most Rev. Alexander Sample, archbishop of Portland, Oregon, was the ordaining prelate at the Mass of Ordination, which was be celebrated at the Altar of the Chair of St. Peter in the Papal Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican. Archbishop Sample was ordained a priest June 1, 1990, for the Diocese of Marquette, Michigan. He was consecrated Bishop of Marquette on Jan. 26, 2006. He was installed as Archbishop of Portland, Oregon, on April 2, 2013. 

Archbishop Sample encouraged the deacon candidates in his homily to remember that everything that a deacon does, everything a priest does, and everything a bishop does flows from their identity with Jesus Christ who identifies himself as a servant, the suffering servant whom they as deacons are called to configure themselves to. Photo courtesy of the Pontifical North American College
Archbishop Sample went on to say that their diaconate is not about them but rather it is about Jesus. “The Son of Man does not come to be served but to serve,” he said. “You are taking on the identity of Christ who laid his life down to serve, to be a slave.” He then went on to say, “I am here to remind you, it is not about you, it is about Jesus Christ who has called you. He has called you to this moment on this day to lay down your lives to himself and his bride, the church.” 

Archbishop Sample told the deacon candidates that even in their priesthood, they will still be called to exercise their diaconate, to serve as Christ himself serves us on the cross. Archbishop Sample called the deacon candidates to surrender their complete lives to Jesus through the promises they will make in their ordination. By doing so, they will make a total gift of themselves. They were reminded as they surrender themselves to Christ, they are to entrust themselves to Our Lady of Humility. He said, “She is your Mother.” 

The recorded Mass of Ordination can be viewed on the EWTN YouTube Channel. The EWTN YouTube link for the Holy Mass: https://www.youtube.com/live/dEfcgRaM-sw​.

The Pontifical North American College serves as the American seminary in Rome. Founded in 1859 by Blessed Pope Pius IX, the college has formed more than 5,000 priests near the heart of the church for service in dioceses around the United States, Canada, and Australia. The college strengthens the bonds between Rome and local churches worldwide, and it allows its students to study the church’s rich religious and cultural heritage at close range.