by Jeremy Meuser, Seminarian

Detroit seminarians Mark Prill, left, Sama Muma, Charles Altermatt, Lee Acervo and Clint McDonell recite together the Profession and Oath in preparation for their impending ordination to the transitional diaconate.

December 3, 2007. As the fall semester draws to a close, six fourth-year graduate seminarians took the final step in preparation for priestly ordination: the solemn Profession of Faith and Oath of Fidelity. In a ceremony on November 11, they promised to follow the teachings and disciplines of the Church in carrying out the sacred office to which they will be ordained.

In the Profession of Faith, the seminarians swore that they "With firm faith believe and profess everything that is contained in the symbol of faith," meaning the Nicene Creed.  They also promised to adhere to the teachings of the Magisterium "with religious submission of will and intellect."

Deacon Bill Spencer, left, swears fidelity to the Church as Monsignor Monforton stands witness. Spencer's presbyteral ordination is December 14, for the Diocese of Saginaw.

In the Oath of Fidelity, they swore to "preserve communion with the Catholic Church" in word and action in their ordained ministry, to preserve the deposit of faith, observe ecclesiastical law and "faithfully assist diocesan bishops" in the execution of apostolic activity.

The Profession and Oath were made in the presence of the theologate student body and solemnly received by Sacred Heart rector, Msgr. Jeffrey Monforton.

Detroit theologians Lee Acervo, Charles Altermatt, Clint McDonell, Sama Muma and Mark Prill will be ordained to the transitional diaconate on December 15 at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, and to the priesthood in May 2008 at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral. Saginaw theologian Deacon Bill Spencer will be ordained a priest on December 14 of this year at St. Denis Parish in Lexington, Michigan