RALEIGH — Gabriel Alexander Nugent and Leonardo Espinosa López, seminarians for the Diocese of Raleigh, became transitional deacons April 11 at St. Francis of Assisi Church.
They were joined by clergy, fellow seminarians, friends and family at the Mass, which was streamed live and presided over by Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama. Deacon Gabriel, 29, is a student at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, Florida and Deacon Leonardo, 40, is a student at Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts.
The rite of ordination included the presentation of candidates by Father Michael Schuetz, director of the Office of Vocations. Afterward were the election by the bishop, consent of the people, promises of the elect and the litany of supplication, during which time the elect prostrated themselves by lying face down on the ground.
The rite also included the laying on of hands, the prayer of ordination and investiture with stole and dalmatic.
During investiture, each newly ordained deacon puts on new vestments over his alb, or white garment, to signify his new ministerial role. Deacon Gabe asked Deacon Brad Watkins, of his home parish of St. Catherine of Siena in Wake Forest, to assist with his vesting.
“I thought it would be a very special moment … one, because of his example of living diaconal ministry but then also he’s been with me as I’ve grown. He was with me when I first entered seminary [in 2015], when I returned to seminary [2020] and so his example has been with me throughout my discernment,” Deacon Gabe said.
Leo, when he first arrived in the diocese in 2021 from his home country of Colombia, served at Mother of Mercy Parish and the people he chose to carry out special roles at ordination Mass had connections to that community in Washington, which sits in the coastal plain region of eastern North Carolina.
“This is a small parish, but the people there are so beautiful and they received me like family,” he said. “I asked Deacon Tom [Cechulski] to vest me … [he] was there and he knows all my process. And Father Erik [Reyes], he makes me feel very at home when I am spending my time at Mother of Mercy.”
Deacon Leo asked friend and Mother of Mercy’s [former] receptionist, Anai Olivares, to share a reading in Spanish and parishioner Vera Dovich, a friend who welcomed him to the church’s rosary group, to present the gifts alongside Deacon Gabe’s sister Nina Nugent.
During the ordination day homily, Bishop Luis encouraged Gabe and Leo to embrace their humanity and preach with service in the example of St. Francis of Assisi. He reminded them to prepare a beautiful altar that’s ready for celebration and to let their hearts be free to enjoy the moments ahead of them.
Although separated by a decade in age, each new transitional deacon is from a large family and studied a new language during his formation. Deacon Gabe, who learned Spanish during his formation and especially during his pastoral year at San Juan Diego in Robbins, is one of six children and Deacon Leo, who learned English especially during his time at Mother of Mercy, is the youngest of 13.
Each said that altar serving played a part in seeing the priesthood and Mass up close and creating an openness to hearing a call to discern. Each credited both priests, such as Father Bill John Acosta-Escobar and the late Father Phil Tighe, and lay people for noticing the possible path for them and letting them know.
Gabe first entered seminary in 2015 after high school but discerned out and attended college at Belmont Abbey. He returned to official formation in 2020 after his graduation. Leo began seminary in Colombia and after finishing his philosophy requirement, began working as a truck driver. That work continued for nine years, but the priesthood remained on his mind. He said he often thought of his vocation during long drives and eventually felt compelled, with encouragement from a priest friend in New Orleans, to return to formation in the United States.
Each new transitional deacon will have a summer assignment at a parish. Deacon Gabe is going to the Basilica Shrine of St. Mary in Wilmington; Deacon Leo is going to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Raleigh.
“From a young age I noticed that both of my parents were very active in the faith. They worked as catechists … sacristans … In that they always encouraged me and my siblings to also live a life of service and be generous with the talents we have and the time that we have,” said Deacon Gabe. “Seeing their dedication and their devotion to the life of the Church was a big influence on me.”
Deacon Gabe delivered his first homily during Mass April 12 at St. Catherine of Siena. Deacon Leo did the same at Mother of Mercy.
“Everything comes up and I’m here now,” smiled Deacon Leo as he reflected on his journey. “The seminary is the formation house that helps us to grow … to flourish and to give the best of ourselves. When I look back on my life, I can see how God’s mercy and love have been working in me in silence. And now … I can see how God’s hands have been holding me.”
