New habit, new deacon By Dr. Joe McAleer Deacon Stephen Castellano, MIC, achieved three firsts over the summer: he became the first Marian in this province to receive the white habit, and — in personal firsts — professed perpetual vows and was ordained to the transitional diaconate. “I am very excited to take this first step in the Sacrament of Holy Orders and, God willing, to be ordained to the priesthood next year,” Dcn. Stephen says. “I am so grateful to our Marian Helper family for their prayers and support, not just for me but for all of our seminarians.” Vows and habit On Aug. 16, during Marian Week, then-Br. Stephen professed his perpetual vows during Mass at the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy. The Most Rev. Joseph Roesch, MIC, superior general, invested him with the white habit, recently revived by the Marian Congregation after a 100-year hiatus. “Honestly, receiving the white habit is like a dream come true,” Dcn. Stephen says. “The color white highlights in a very specific way our charism, which is the mystery of the Immaculate Conception. The habit is a sign to the Church and to the world of who we are.” Diaconate ordination On Sept. 2, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., Dcn. Stephen was ordained to the transitional diaconate by the Most Rev. Roy Edward Campbell, Jr., auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Washington. As a deacon, he will continue to reside at the Marian Scholasticate in Washington, D.C., and assist the Marian priests there in their ministries. Growing up close to church A native of Montgomery Village, Maryland, Dcn. Stephen, 32, is one of seven children of Ellen and Anthony (Tony) Castellano. He credits the foundation of his vocation to his parents, and an upbringing steeped in the Catholic faith. “When I was 7 years old, we moved next door to the church St. John Neumann,” Br. Stephen recalls. “I grew up physically close to the Church and in time became more spiritually tied to it.” Attending the parish youth group during high school had a big impact. “It was a very good way to be immersed in the faith during my formative years,” he says. “We had great catechesis, but also a lot of fun.” Years later, then-Br. Stephen, like all Marian seminarians, had to take on a pastoral ministry assignment during his theological studies. He was encouraged by his formators to return to St. John Neumann to minister to that same youth group. “It was fascinating to go back now as a leader, to see the new generation and observe how the Lord works in young souls,” he says. Deacon Stephen joined the Marians in 2018. “It has truly been a total joy from day one,” he admits. “The time has flown by.” Join the Together for Christ campaign and help build our new Monastery and Chapel! Visit Marian.org/GivingTuesday or call 800-462-7426. Nov. 28, 2023 A special challenge this year!
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