By Kenneth J. Souza, Anchor Staff
FALL RIVER, Mass. — Fall River native and seminarian Jason Brilhante will take the penultimate step towards fulfilling his calling to the priesthood tomorrow when he’s ordained a transitional deacon by Bishop George W. Coleman inside the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption at 11 a.m.
“It’s very exciting,” Brilhante told The Anchor after completing a retreat in preparation for ordination earlier this week. “It’s been surreal how quickly time has passed during my seminary formation. I’m very much looking forward to being ordained a deacon this weekend and ultimately a priest in the Diocese of Fall River, implementing the new evangelization and administering the Sacraments. It’s something I’ve been desiring since entering the seminary.”
A parishioner of St. Michael’s Parish in Fall River, Brilhante graduated from BMC Durfee High School and later attended Bristol Community College and Bryant University in Smithfield, R.I. before enrolling at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton six years ago.
He attended the Institute for Priestly Formation in Omaha, Neb.
during the summer of 2007 and was assigned to Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Osterville for the summer of 2009. He has also been assigned to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in New Bedford both during Portuguese language studies as well as in pastoral preparation for ordination.
Brilhante earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from St. John’s Seminary in 2008 and anticipates receiving a master’s degree in divinity in May. His ordination to the priesthood is scheduled for June 9.
“I’m very excited and looking forward to my ordination in June,” Brilhante said. “It’s a privilege to be called to be a priest. There’s still some work to be done here in the seminary, but I look forward to when my ministry as a priest in the diocese will begin.”
Brilhante’s ordination to the transitional diaconate this weekend is an important step in his ministry, which will allow him to preach at Mass and celebrate Baptisms and Weddings, according to Father Karl C. Bissinger, diocesan director of vocations and secretary to Bishop George W. Coleman.
“The transitional diaconate is the last step, if you will, before becoming a priest,” Father Bissinger said. “At that time, you make your promise of celibacy and it’s quite a significant step. He will have the same rights and responsibilities as any permanent deacon, but the reason he is being ordained a transitional deacon is because Jason won’t stay a deacon, he will be ordained a priest June 9.”
Having worked closely with Brilhante for the past six years, Father Bissinger said he’s proud of his accomplishments.
“I think in general people are excited about it, because he’s a very likeable young man and he’s been assigned to a lot of different places in the diocese — Fall River, New Bedford, Cape Cod,” Father Bissinger said. “He’s from Fall River, a native of St. Michael’s Parish, and it’s nice when guys grow up in a local parish and then become priests in the diocese.”
During tomorrow’s diaconal ordination, Brilhante will be vested by Deacon Joseph Medeiros, permanent deacon at St. Michael’s Parish in Fall River.
Brilhante will then participate in his first Mass as a deacon at his home parish on Sunday at 10 a.m., during which he will preach for the first time.
“It’s interesting that the Gospel reading is the calling of the first disciples and how fitting it is that I’ll be preaching on that for the first time as a transitional deacon,” Brilhante said. “It certainly fits in well and I think it’s a blessing and an affirmation of my vocation to the priesthood.”
Immediately following the 10 a.m. Mass on Sunday, a gathering and reception will be held in the St. Michael’s parish hall.
“All the people in the parish who have known him since he was a child have always seen in him a calling that he is now following,” said Father Edward E. Correia, pastor of St. Michael’s and St. Joseph’s parishes in Fall River. “And it’s not only St. Michael’s Parish that is preparing to celebrate, but also St. Joseph’s Parish as well. The parishioners there have also been praying and supporting him, so they will be participating in the celebrations this weekend as well.”
Brilhante said he very much appreciates the example, leadership and support of Father Correia over the years, along with the support and prayers of all the parishioners at St. Michael’s and St. Joseph’s parishes.
He also credits Father Luciano Pereira, former pastor of St. Michael’s Parish, as being a key role model for him.
“He was pastor when I first began as an altar boy,” Brilhante said. “I remember very vividly his devotion to the Holy Eucharist, which is something I carry on and treasure to this day, and also his devotion to the Blessed Mother in praying the Rosary everyday during the month of May. I certainly attribute my carrying on those devotions to his example.”
Brilhante also said Father Raul Lagoa was a big influence on him along with the many priests he served with here in the diocese on various assignments.
“They have all been great mentors, good examples and, above all, faithful friends,” he said.
Although Brilhante is expected to be the sole new priest ordained in the diocese this year, there are several others currently studying at St. John’s Seminary who will soon join him.
“We have several good men preparing to serve the diocese, so please continue to pray for them,” Brilhante said. “I’ve studied with all of them at St. John’s at some point and they are all faithful men, they love the priesthood and they love the Diocese of Fall River.”
And for those who have yet to discern a vocation to the priesthood, Brilhante recommends talking to a priest if they sense a calling.
“Step outside your comfort zone a little bit and talk to someone you respect and admire,” Brilhante said. “Speak to them in confidence if you feel you have a calling. If this knowledge is in your heart, and this is what you’re being called to, it’s an honorable and worthy calling. There’s work that needs to be done and there are many priests willing to help you.”
With many family members and friends preparing to attend the diaconal ordination tomorrow, Brilhante said he is overjoyed and he feels blessed to have their support.
“They are very excited and honored to have a brother, cousin and nephew ordained as a transitional deacon,” he said. “It’s a great blessing for me and my family — especially my parents who are filled with joy and have supported me from day one when I told them I wanted to pursue a calling to the priesthood. They have been praying for me and supporting me all the way.”