Northern Colorado’s Newest Transitional Deacon Ordained at St. Peter’s Basilica
Deacon Carl Berner was ordained in Rome alongside 17 other seminarians, taking the final major step toward priesthood and a life of proclaiming the Gospel and celebrating the sacraments.
He may have been ordained more than 5,000 miles away, but Northern Colorado’s newest transitional deacon is excited to begin serving the people of God back home, just as soon as he finishes his studies.
Newly ordained Deacon Carl Berner was among 18 seminarians ordained at the Altar of the Chair of St. Peter in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome on October 1. Having studied for several years at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, Deacon Berner’s ordination to the transitional diaconate marks the final stage of his formation before, God willing, priestly ordination.
As he looks toward the priesthood, Deacon Berner shared that he’s most eager to celebrate the sacraments.
“I am looking forward to celebrating Mass more than anything else,” he told the Denver Catholic. “To offer, in the person of Christ the Head, the greatest act of worship to the Father, with and for Christ’s mystical body, the Church, seems to me to be the culmination of my entire life.”
For the next year, the saxophone-playing transitional deacon will continue his studies and spend his time proclaiming the Gospel at Mass, preaching and serving God’s people.
Preaching at the ordination Mass, Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, and founder of Word on Fire Ministries, reminded the men being ordained of their call to publicly proclaim and interpret God’s Word. The clergy’s preaching, he emphasized, is not about adding personal opinion or perspectives, but rather about bringing Christ the Word to his people.
To do that well, Bishop Barron emphasized, the preacher must be deeply conformed to Jesus Christ, abiding in him. They must also be open to the movements of the Holy Spirit, the bishop continued.
Offering four practical pieces of advice, Bishop Barron recommended the new deacons be men of the Bible, savor language, become students of rhetoric and recognize that the preacher’s entire life is preparation for preaching.
If the new deacons read widely, study great preachers like Blessed Fulton Sheen, prepare diligently and speak authentically, the bishop noted, they will cooperate with God’s will to bring all of his children into relationship with him.
Deacon Carl Berner smiles for a photo with family and Archbishop Emeritus Samuel Aquila.
(Photos courtesy of the Pontifical North American College)
For Deacon Berner, that mission is personal. Reflecting on his own story, he sees just how powerful one person’s witness can be.
“I am indebted to the layman responsible for preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation at my parish growing up,” he said, recalling that catechist’s presentation of St. Thomas Aquinas’ five proofs for the existence of God. “His inspiring witness kept my heart tethered to God in high school when many of my peers stopped practicing. I am very grateful for him.”
Looking ahead to his ministry as a transitional deacon and, God willing, as a priest, Deacon Berner is excited to be that kind of witness in the lives of others as they encounter the Lord.
Turning to those individuals, the new deacon had simple encouragement: “Hold nothing back!”
“God knows your story, your personality, everything that makes you happy,” Deacon Berner shared. “In surrendering your life over to him, you lose nothing of what makes you who you truly are. He intends on realizing your deepest desires and making you supremely happy.”
