Deacon describes ordination in Rome as ‘moving’

In a special Mass celebrated Sunday, Feb. 23 at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Deacon Bryan Inderhees of Columbus was ordained to the permanent diaconate.

Inderhees was one of 23 men from eight countries selected to be ordained to the diaconate. The ordination Mass culminated a Jubilee of Deacons held Feb. 21-23, part of the 2025 Jubilee Year taking place in the Church.

Archbishop Rino Fisichella, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, celebrated the Mass in Pope Francis’ stead while the Holy Father remained hospitalized with pneumonia.

More than 4,000 permanent deacons gathered for the Mass, with Italy sending the majority, followed by 1,300 deacons from the United States, 656 from France and deacons from various other countries.

Inderhees described the ordination Mass as “overwhelming and amazing.” He said being ordained with 23 men from around the world showed the global aspect of the diaconate.

While each candidate came from a different background, all were present to surrender their lives to Christ.

“One of the most moving things from that Mass, for me, was even just during the opening procession, following the cross down toward the canopy over the main altar,” Inderhees recalled. “There’s a rose window of the Holy Spirit that you can see through that – just like, ‘This is Who I’m going toward.’ We’re called to configure ourselves to Christ, and that’s where I’m going.”

The Diocese of Columbus’ Office of the Diaconate previously received a request from Rome to nominate men for ordination to the diaconate at the special jubilee Mass. With Bishop Earl Fernandes’ approval, Inderhees was nominated and later accepted for ordination.

He was previously in formation for the diaconate with nine men from the diocese who were ordained at Columbus St. Joseph Cathedral last August. 

Inderhees said it was decided that he was not ready for ordination at the time after discussions with his spiritual director and mentors. In the proceeding months, there were thoughts of selecting an ordination date, he said, when the diaconate office received the invitation from the Vatican.

Archbishop Fisichella read Pope Francis’ homily during the ordination Mass. The Holy Father encouraged the deacon candidates to serve with humility. He called them to a ministry of selflessness, forgiveness and communion. 

During the rite of ordination, each candidate knelt before the archbishop, who laid his hands on their heads, calling upon the Holy Spirit. The newly ordained were then vested in a stole, a shawl-like garment that is draped over the deacon’s left shoulder, and dalmatic, a knee-length sleeved garment.

The Jubilee of Deacons was one of a number of Jubilee Days set for 2025 that recognize and celebrate different groups of people and ministries in the Church. Catholics are encouraged to make a pilgrimage during the Jubilee celebration, whether to Rome or a holy site in their diocese.

“The whole pilgrimage was absolutely a wonderful experience and that chance to visit Rome – I haven’t been to Rome for almost 30 years now – so coming back to it, especially as I’ve grown in my studies and my understanding of the Church and its evolution … I really enjoyed the opportunity,” Inderhees said.

While in Rome for the three-day jubilee celebration, he was interviewed by Catholic News Service (CNS). He told the news outlet that the diaconate in the United States serves as a model for the universal Church.

“Here’s a way that we’ve found that we can take advantage of men who have this calling,” he told CNS. “Almost all of us who have already been married can support the clergy, support the Church, support our priests while still living both the sacred life and our lives as married men.”

Inderhees, who works as an engineer for Honda’s Auto Development Center near Marysville, has been married to his wife, Emelie, since 2013. The couple have three children: Cecilia, 9, Livinia, 7, and Jeremiah, 1.

Inderhees said that while he did not pursue a vocation to the priesthood, he had a sense of being “called to more.”

After getting married, he said, Emelie suggested the diaconate – one of three degrees of the sacrament of holy orders along with the presbyterate (priests) and episcopate (bishops) – might be the call he was experiencing.

“We prayed and considered on that for a few years, and then I started hearing that calling louder and quieter in various ways through the earlier years of my marriage,” Inderhees said.

By 2020, he said, he was ready to move forward and sought to answer the call.

The formation period proved difficult at times, especially choosing to postpone his ordination when nearing the end of formation.

“There’s some growth that came with it – that decision back in August was not an easy one,” he recalled.

Inderhees said he spent time revisiting several questions: “What exactly is this that I’m trying to answer, and am I ready to answer it? Can I find ways to actually serve as I’m called to serve, and can I find ways to express my obedience to the bishop like I promised at my ordination? Can I find ways to balance this with my vocation to my marriage and my family?”

In his vocation as a husband and now deacon, Inderhees is eager to reach individuals and walk with them on their journey with God. He said he wants to help the faithful understand their vocations and how to respond to them.

He also looks forward to supporting the faithful through the sacraments, he said. As a deacon, Inderhees can administer the sacraments of baptism and matrimony.

The Second Vatican Council (1962-65) authorized the restoration of the diaconate as a permanent order of ministry in the Church.

More than 13,000 deacons in the United States minister in the Order of the Diaconate permanently. Students in formation for the priesthood are also ordained deacons before their ordination as priests. There is no difference in sacramental sign between “transitional” and permanent” deacons.

Bishop Fernandes assigned Inderhees to carry out his ministry at Columbus St. Agatha Church.