A new herald of the Gospel: Blake Thompson ordained to transitional diaconate
Blake Thompson sings next to his parents, Cash and Nanette Thompson, during the Mass at which he was ordained to the Sacred Order of the Diaconate on March 19, 2025 at St. Maria Goretti Parish in Arlington. Thompson became a transitional deacon and in 2026 will enter the priesthood, God willing. (NTC/Juan Guajardo)
ARLINGTON — “I do, with the help of God.”
With those words, Blake Ryan Thompson stood in front of a church filled with family and friends and promised to serve Christ and His people during a life strengthened by celibate chastity, prayer, and acts of charity.
As his parents, Cash and Nanette Thompson, proudly watched from the first pew, the 26-year-old seminarian was ordained to the Sacred Order of the Diaconate by Bishop Michael Olson on March 19 in St. Maria Goretti Church in Arlington. Becoming a transitional deacon is the last major step in formation before a man is ordained a priest.
“It’s particularly fitting that Blake’s ordination is celebrated on the Solemnity of St. Joseph,” said the bishop, who concelebrated the Mass with Vicar General Father Jonathan Wallis and other diocesan priests. “In a certain sense, the diaconate is a preparation for the chaste and celibate fatherhood of priesthood exemplified by the humble, generous, and chaste love of St. Joseph. He did not think of himself, but focused instead on the lives of Mary and Jesus.”
During his homily, Bishop Olson reminded the ordinand of his obligation to serve the marginalized people in society. Authentic preaching of the Gospel and performing charitable deeds allows a deacon to represent the mission of the Church as Christ intended.
“An essential part of your life and ministry as a deacon, that remains after you are ordained a priest, is to protect the poor and vulnerable,” the celebrant stressed. “Ask St. Joseph to assist you because it is St. Joseph who protects the Church as he protected the Blessed Virgin Mary and Christ Child.”
After ordination, Deacon Thompson will proclaim the Gospel, assist with sacraments, and serve the needs of the faith community at St. Martin of Tours Parish in Gaithersburg, Md., as he completes his final year of study at the Theological College at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
A heartfelt vocation
Dan and Dorothy Marotta met the seminarian during his pastoral year spent at St. Martin de Porres Church in Prosper under the guidance of Father Stephen Hauck, pastor.
“He’s going to make an excellent priest. There’s no doubt about it,” assured parishioner Dorothy Marotta. “You can tell he wants to do this. It’s in his heart.”
Describing the would-be priest as knowledgeable, spiritual, and friendly, her husband Dan said, “He really left an impression with people. I know our pastor is very proud of the work Blake did at St. Martin’s.”
Conferring the Holy Spirit
Eight years of discernment, study, and prayer culminated for Thompson during the Rite of Ordination. Following the homily, the candidate announced his willingness to live a celibate life, pray the Liturgy of the Hours, and obey the bishop and his successors. Then, in a visible act of submission before God, he lay prostrate before the altar while the congregation chanted the intercessory Litany of Saints prayer.
During the most sacred, pivotal moment of the rite, Bishop Olson imposed his hands on the head of the ordinand to confer the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The gesture was used by the Apostles in the election of the first deacons for the Church (Acts 6:6).
After the laying on of hands, the new deacon was vested with garments symbolizing his office — the dalmatic and stole — by Deacons Jack Gardner and Tony Viegas.
Finally, Dcn. Thompson received the Book of Gospels from the bishop with the instruction: "Receive the Gospel of Christ whose herald you have become. Believe what you read, teach what you believe and practice what you teach.”
With the ordination rite complete, he joined the other deacons and priests on the altar to assist in the celebration of the Eucharist.
The right thing to do
A convert to Catholicism, Thompson entered St. Joseph Seminary College following graduation from Lake Ridge High School in 2017. Churchless much of his young life, he found a home at St. Jude Parish in Mansfield as a teenager.
“When I experienced the liturgy for the first time, with all of its beauty, it just made sense,” the seminarian said. “I left that Mass and remember telling my parents, I don’t know about y’all, but I have to be Catholic.”
After receiving confirmation during the Easter Vigil in 2015, Thompson became very active in youth ministry at the parish. A love of Christ in the Eucharist eventually led him to consider the priesthood.
“He’s devoted his life to this from the very beginning,” said his father, Cash Thompson. “When we learned he wanted to become a priest, it was a shock but not a bad shock. It was more of a wow, what do we next?”
The seminarian’s parents, who are also converts to Catholicism, supported his decision.
“With some prayers, we knew it was the right thing for him and he knew it was the right thing for him,” the dad added. “Blake’s wise beyond his age and passionate about his interests. One of the most important things, besides his love of God, is a love of family and friends.”
Supporting the journey
Parishioners at St. Jude watched Thompson’s devotion to faith and service grow since high school, according to Florence Marcucci.
“We’ve seen him blossom into a man I think is going to be a wonderful priest,” said the longtime member of the faith community. “Our parish has tried to support his journey in the seminary.”
Every month, the family of a Knights of Columbus member sends a card or gift to seminarians and the women’s club helps monetarily and with prayer.
“We’re lucky to have so many young men discerning the priesthood,” the Chicago native observed. “That’s not happening in other parts of the country.”
Words of encouragement
Thompson told the North Texas Catholic he took the day before ordination to reflect and meditate on God’s blessings in his life. He also visited with priests in the diocese and spoke to fellow seminarians.
“I wanted to offer words of encouragement especially to the guys preparing to go on their pastoral year. That was a very formative time for me,” Thompson said. “I feel a lot of gratitude and thanksgiving for them being here and helping me serve the Lord.”
Peter Nguyen, a first-year theology student who attends the Theological College at Catholic University with the transitional deacon, called the ordination of his friend “a great event in the life of the Church and diocese. It’s a sign of hope in this Holy Year of Hope for all of us.”