When God called Luis Angeles and Larry Curtis to discern a vocation to the priesthood, both answered, ‘yes,’ and as they completed their formation as seminarians, they were ordained to the Transitional Diaconate by Bishop Alberto Rojas on Dec. 20 at St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Church in Yucaipa.
“Reflecting on my seminarian journey from its beginning to the present, I have seen how God has guided and accompanied me at every stage of formation,” said Angeles, from Holy Family Parish in Hesperia. “I remember when I entered, I was a nervous wreck… Slowly, I saw how the seminary challenged me and stretched me. Through prayer, community life, study, spiritual direction, and, of course, the grace of God, I have begun to feel comfortable with what God wants from me. Throughout my life, trusting in God has brought me.”
Similarly, as Curtis reflected on his journey as a seminarian for the past eight years, he too felt God guided him the whole way.
“My seminary journey can be summed up as a journey of love in which the Most Holy Trinity has been drawing me deeper and deeper into His infinite love,” said Curtis, from St. Patrick Parish in Moreno Valley. “God has been conforming my heart more into His through prayer, studies, and ministry. It has not been an easy journey, but it has been a beautiful one, full of growth, healing, and divine intimacy. How eager I am to spread the Good News!”
Both men describe their emotions of being ordained to the Transitional Diaconate as a wedding.
“It was as if I were getting married, as it’s a total giving of oneself. I am excited, for sure,” Angeles said.
“In a beautiful and unexplainable way, it feels like I am approaching both my wedding and my funeral. It is a wedding because I will publicly give myself fully to the One whom I love, God and His Church,” added Curtis. “Before the altar I will prostrate myself, like a dead man wounded with love, saying, “Here I am, Lord, I give You everything…”
For those called to the priesthood, becoming a deacon is the first order they receive. All men on their way to the priesthood must first be ordained a deacon, called the “transitional” diaconate, because it marks a transition to the presbyterate, the group of priests under the authority of the bishop. As deacons, Curtis and Larry look forward to serving in their community.
“The Diaconate, which means service, is ultimately to imitate Christ as he served the poor and vulnerable, to proclaim the Gospel, Baptize, celebrate Weddings, and to always be praying for the whole Church,” Angeles said. “I am very excited and hope to be Christ-like to others truly. I look forward to preaching the Gospel, serving at the altar, and serving in a new way. I look forward to meeting many new people through ministry and to continuing to deepen my relationship with God through service. Ultimately, I look forward to becoming the man and the servant God desires me to be.”
In addition to looking forward to serving as a deacon, Curtis is excited for his upcoming ordination to the priesthood. He and Angeles are scheduled to be ordained on May 16, 2026.
“After ordination, I am looking forward to serving the people of God as a deacon, doing baptisms, weddings, funerals, and more. I am also eagerly anticipating the next step, ordination to the priesthood on May 16, 2026,” Curtis said. “There, the Church will offer one of her sons to God, and God, in turn, will give him back as a priest. What an exciting moment to come. What a profound exchange.”