(ROME) – Deacon Matthew Schilmoeller of the Diocese of Lincoln was among the 23 seminarians from the Pontifical North American College ordained to the transitional diaconate in Rome Sept. 29.
Schilmoeller is a native of North American Martyrs Parish in Lincoln.
Bishop Austin Vetter, Bishop of Helena, was the ordaining prelate at the ordination Mass, celebrated at the Altar of the Chair of St. Peter, in the Papal Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican. Originally a priest of the Diocese of Bismarck, Bishop Vetter served on the formation faculty of the College as the Director of Spiritual Formation from 2012 to 2018.
In his homily, Bishop Vetter highlighted how the day’s liturgical feast of the Archangels ought to encourage the men to be like them; as messengers of God. Referencing the Gospel of the day, he exhorted the men to not overlook the “Nathanaels” of the world who are not just under fig trees, but in nursing homes, prisons, coffee shops, and everywhere else.
“Get into the mess, like Jesus Christ, who came to serve and not to be served. Serve them and you will find that you are bumping into Jesus all over the place,” he said.
The bishop encouraged the 23 men to ‘get to work,’ using the three main tools of obedience, life-giving celibacy, and prayer. With respect to the diaconal promise of praying the Liturgy of the Hours, Bishop Vetter provided wisdom on its importance: “Some days it is going to feel like all your efforts have failed, but if you stay faithful to the Liturgy of the Hours, then every day bears fruit for the Kingdom.”
Recognizing that the diaconate is the first degree of Holy Orders behind priesthood and episcopacy, he pointed out that diaconate is first because “the foundation of Holy Orders is service.” After encouraging the men to not forget to live out this service within the seminary community, he concluded by urging them to continue going to Jesus and His Mother Mary daily so they may be ordained next year to the priesthood.
He reminded them that the Archangels are on their side and that they, too, must “be messengers of Jesus Christ - who is indeed alive.”
During the ordination, the new deacons promised to live a life of prayer, celibacy, and obedience to their diocesan bishops. The new deacons will have an additional year of theological studies and spiritual formation before being ordained to the priesthood in their home dioceses.
They now join the eight members of their class who have already been ordained transitional deacons in the preceding months.
The Pontifical North American College serves as the American seminary in Rome. Founded in 1859 by Blessed Pope Pius IX, the College has formed over 5000 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 allows its students to study the Church’s religious and cultural heritage at close range.
