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New Class Of Deacons Ordained In Philadelphia Archdiocese

By Hadas Kuznits

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Seven deacons were ordained at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Center City Saturday.

John Gray, a student in the program, was one of many who attended the mass and watched the right of ordination.

"This is a very exciting moment for these men," he said. "They have been working very hard towards this. It's a seven-year program and I just finished my third year, so I have four more years to go."

He adds it's very exciting to watch them go through this:

"I know they have been through this long road and this is the end, buts it's only the beginning because now they begin their ministry."

Deacons are ordained once a year. Gray explains the job of deacon is to assist the priest:

"It could be people coming into the faith, people pre-Cana, couples who are going to begin getting married, various jobs that we do to help the priest, cause there is so much work that needs to be done."

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