COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – The Reverend Mr. Patrick G. DiLoreto, (1 Lt) USAR, a candidate for the Catholic priesthood and United States Military chaplaincy, was ordained a transitional deacon on Saturday, May 27, in his home Diocese of Colorado Springs, CO. The new deacon is on track to be ordained a priest next year and hopes eventually to serve as a Catholic chaplain in the U.S. Army providing pastoral care to Catholic soldiers and their families with endorsement and faculties from the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS).
The Rev. Mr. DiLoreto’s diaconal ordination was celebrated at St. Mary’s Cathedral through the laying of hands and the prayer of consecration invoking the Holy Spirit by Bishop James R. Golka. AMS Judicial Vicar Father Mark J. Rutherford, J.C.L., concelebrated the 10:00 a.m. ordination Mass. Among those in attendance were the new deacon’s parents, Vince and Donna DiLoreto, and brothers Jason, Paul, Daniel, and Phillip DiLoreto.
The Rev. Mr. DiLoreto, 30, is a 2011 graduate of Cherry Creek High School in Greenwood Village, CO. In 2015, he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from the University of Northern Colorado and served three years in the Colorado Army National Guard.
The new deacon is currently enrolled at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, MD. He is on track to be ordained a priest on June 8, 2024, after which time he will serve in his home Diocese of Colorado Springs for three years before going on active duty under that diocese’s co-sponsored seminarian agreement with the AMS.
Commenting on his diaconal ordination, the Rev. Mr. DiLoreto said, “I am overjoyed at this wonderful gift which God has given me. I pray that through the intercession of our blessed Mother I may be faithful throughout my ministry.”
The eventual priestly service of the Rev. Mr. DiLoreto and other Catholic chaplain candidates is greatly anticipated by the Army, which, like all other branches of the U.S. Military, continues to suffer a chronic shortage of Catholic chaplains. Currently, only 88 priests are on active duty in the Army, serving more than 120,000 Catholic soldiers and their families spread worldwide.
Young men interested in discerning a priestly vocation, and the vocation within a vocation to serve those who serve in the U.S. military, can find more information at milarch.org/vocations, or may contact the AMS Office of Vocations directly by email at vocations@milarch.org.
Donations in support of AMS Vocations are gratefully accepted at milarch.org/donate.