Santina’s husband, Luke, has known Deacon John since he was five and shares in the family’s pride. ‘He’s a very likeable person. And I’ve noticed that whatever John decides to do, he puts his mind to it.’
‘Most people would have given up, as it’s been such a long process—seven years,’ Luke reflects, tearing up. ‘And so I take my hat off to John.’
Santina and Luke describe Deacon John’s transformation over the past seven years as ‘profound’.
‘I think he has certainly changed in the last seven years,’ says Santina, ‘and he’s become an inspiration to us all—not just for what he’s been doing within the seminary, but for the people around him.
‘Lots of friends and family say that he’s someone they can go and speak to, because he’s just got this calmness about him.
‘He’s an inspiration and I’m honoured to be his sister, really.’
‘This is really happening now’
Deacon John was stunned when he received the email from the Vatican confirming his ordination with Pope Leo XIV.
‘I read it a couple of times and just thought, this is really happening now.’ Shortly after, Archbishop Peter A Comensoli called to congratulate him on representing Australia at the Mass during the Jubilee.
‘And ever since then it’s slowly been sinking in, but it was a lot to get my head around,’ he admits. Though he had submitted his name to be ordained in Rome, he wasn’t certain he’d be selected—or if his parents would be able to make the trip.
‘But when I received the news, I shared it with my family and in an instant, everyone said, “We’re coming!”’
Deacon John says he’s deeply grateful for the outpouring of support from friends, family, parishioners and the wider Melbourne community.
His parents and uncle will be with him in Rome for the ordination, along with siblings Santina and David from Melbourne, and his brother Paul and wife Veronica from London. Parishioners from both St Francis of Assisi in Mill Park and St Bede’s in Balwyn will also be there—a testament to the impact he’s had in the communities he’s served.
‘The Archbishop is coming, as well as the Rector and Vice Rector of the seminary, who have been with me since the beginning of my journey. It’s a blessing to have everyone there,’ he says.
When asked what he’s most looking forward to at the ordination, Deacon John reflects on what will be a profoundly symbolic moment: when he kneels and the Pope places his hands on his head and anoints his hands.
He’s also looking forward to the litany of saints, where the ordinands lie prostrate in prayer, invoking the intercession of the saints and angels.
‘We’re there to give our lives to the Lord and for the Church,’ says Deacon John. ‘So just being able to lay down and pray the litany of saints, to myself, but also to hear the litany being prayed by all the people of God—it’s going to be special.’