Bishop James F. Checchio of Metuchen, N.J., the former rector of the Pontifical North American College in Rome, lays hands on Deacon Louis P. Masi, who was ordained to the transitional diaconate with 30 other seminarians of Pontifical North American College Sept. 28 at a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. Deacon Masi, 26, a native of St. Theresa’s parish in the Bronx, completed his bachelor of sacred theology degree last spring at Pontifical Gregorian University and is working toward a licentiate in patristic theology and sciences at the Patristic Institute Augustinianum in Rome.
COURTESY OF PNAC PHOTO SERVICE
Deacon Masi, left, and Deacon John LoCoco, third from left, assist Bishop Checchio at the altar. Deacon Masi is on track to be ordained to the priesthood with the other transitional deacons of the archdiocese next May.