WASHINGTON, DC – The Reverend Mr. Jacob P. George was ordained a transitional deacon on Friday, Dec. 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, in the main chapel of the Edwin Cardinal O’Brien Pastoral Center in Washington, DC, home base for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS). The new deacon is on track to be ordained a priest next year.
The Rev. Mr. George’s diaconal ordination was celebrated through the laying of hands and the prayer of consecration invoking the Holy Spirit by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services and President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The rite took place in a 10:00 a.m. Mass attended by friends and family including the new deacon’s parents, Mr. George Jacob and Mrs. Teresa George Jacob of Houston, TX, sisters Celine and Elizabeth, and brothers Joseph and John, along with fellow seminarians and mentors from Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, MD. The concelebrants included Monsignor Anthony R. Frontiero, S.T.D., Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia of the AMS; the Moderator of the Community of Grace, Father Brillis Mathew; and the Rector of the same seminary, Monsignor Andrew R. Baker, S.T.D.
The Rev. Mr. George, 35, was born in Bangalore, India, but spent his childhood in the United Arab Emirates where his parents moved their family when he was young. The new deacon is a 2012 graduate of Purdue University where he earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Since entering formation at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, he has earned a Pontifical Bachelor of Sacred Theology (S.T.B.) degree in affiliation with the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington; a Master of Arts (M.A.) Degree in Theology, and a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) Degree. The Rev. Mr. George is now pursuing a Licentiate in Canon Law at the Catholic University of America while serving as a Canonical Assistant under the watchful eye of AMS Judicial Vicar Father Mark Rutherford, J.C.L.
The new deacon says he first sensed a call to priesthood while in Fourth Grade at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Dubai, when his teacher asked the class how many would like to be priests. “I thought about that for about two seconds,” he says, “and raised my hand. Since then, the thought never left me…. Later on, I came in contact with a lay community called the Community of Grace which further clarified and guided my vocation.”
Commenting on his diaconal ordination, the Rev. Mr. George said, “I feel very blessed and happy! I feel especially privileged to have had the ordination here with my new family at the AMS. I remember the words of St. John Paul II: ‘In the designs of providence, there are no mere coincidences.’ There were many so-called ‘mere coincidences’ that led to this current moment, and looking back at the path through which God has led me leaves me with no option but to praise and thank Him for the marvels he has worked in my life. My heart is echoing the words of the Psalmist: ‘You are my God, I thank you, my God, I praise you. Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love endures forever.’ (Ps 118:28-29) Being ordained a deacon was a moving experience as it makes me connect with the ministerial aspect of ordained ministry: Not to be served but to serve! At the same time I realize the period leading up to my priestly vocation is very short and is a time for me to reflect and pray for the great task of ministry to all those who may cross my path that lies ahead as a priest.”
While his home diocese is Miao in Arunachal Pradesh in Northeast India, the Rev. Mr. George remains open to serving someday on active duty in the U.S. Military, although he is not currently a chaplain candidate.
Young men interested in discerning a priestly vocation, and the vocation within a vocation to serve those who serve in the U.S. Military, can find more information at milarch.org/vocations, or may contact the AMS Vocations Office at vocations@milarch.org or (202) 719-3600.
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