At the Institute, the feast of Saint Francis de Sales (January 29) is celebrated annually with great joy and filial affection for our holy patron, the "Doctor of Charity." Last year, for example, the feast was marked by an Institute pilgrimage to Treviso, accompanied by Cardinal Burke, to venerate the relic heart of Saint Francis de Sales.

This year, our joy in celebrating this patronal feast was further elevated by the ordination to the diaconate of two seminarians, Abbé Sébastien Goupil and Abbé Louis Valadier. The traditional rite of Ordination was conferred by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Luciano Giovannetti, Bishop Emeritus of Fiesole, in the International Seminary's Chapel of the Immaculate Conception.

Before First Vespers the previous evening, the Prior General, Monsignor Wach, conferred the Cross of St. Francis de Sales upon the future deacons and received them into the Institute with the rite of incardination. On the day of the feast, the same chapel was the setting for the Solemn Pontifical Mass of Ordination celebrated by His Excellency, Bishop Giovannetti. A special visitor from the Vatican,Monsignor Marco Agostini, one of the Papal Masters of Ceremonies, was present for the occasion. With many family members, friends, and supporters of the Institute witnessing this grace-filled milestone for the Seminary, two new deacons of the Church emerged from the ancient ceremony.  They are now only one step away from the sacred priesthood.

Throughout their arduous road to the priesthood, seminarians of the Institute are inspired by the holy example of St. Francis de Sales to become ever more united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It was most appropriate that the final part of their journey towards the sacred priesthood should begin with the patronage of the Holy Doctor on his feast day. May Saint Francis de Sales intercede for these two young deacons, that they may be faithful servants of the Church according to the spirit and mission which the Institute has received.