Scanlan Family Attends Son's Ordination as Deacon in Rome

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Published on Monday, 15 October 2012 13:24

Members of the Scanlan family, of Hampton Village in Ave Maria, and several graduates of Ave Maria University, were in Rome last week for the ordination of Eric Scanlan as a transitional deacon.

Deacon Scanlan was among 33 seminarians from Rome's Pontifical North America College who were ordained as deacons by Archbishop John J. Myers of the archdiocese of Newark, NJ.

More than 400 priests were among the 1,500 people in attendance. Right, Veronique and Brian Scanlan with newly-ordained Deacon Eric.

Deacon Scanlan, the oldest of 11 children, is beginning his fourth year of studies in Rome, nominated by Bishop Frank Dewane of the Diocese of Venice.

A day before the ordination, the seminarians had the honor of being seated to the right of pope Benedict during the pope's general audience, and received the Pontiff's blessing.

Mr. and Mrs. Scanlan, along with Eric's grandmother, brother Chris and family friend Ann Moran, then toured Rome, Assisi and Siena with Deacon Scanlan as their guide.

Left, the newly-ordained deacons with Archbishop Myers.

Below right, Ave Maria University graduates attending the ceremony: seminarian Joseph Kuhlman, Anne Moran, Chris Scanlan, and Father Tom Kelly.