And the long line of men in dalmatics continues.

Bless ’em all. This, from Long Island Catholic. (h/t to the blog A Long Island Catholic.)

The scoop follows — and at the link, you can find pictures and bios of the men.

Bishop William Murphy will ordain 13 men as deacons on May 17 at the 11:30 a.m. Mass at St. Agnes Cathedral here.

They are Louis Anetrella, William Casey, Raymond D’Alessio, Frank Dell’Aglio, William Dobbins, Lawrence Faulkenberry, Anthony Graviano, Thomas Lucie, Paul Neuhedel, Luis Polanco, John Rieger, Jeffrey Sykes, and Edward Tappin.

The diaconate is a permanent vocation and is not a step in preparation for the priesthood. Like priests, deacons receive the sacrament of holy orders and are members of the clergy. Deacons may preach at Mass and preside at weddings and baptisms. They can also officiate at wake and burial services as well as other forms of liturgical prayer. They cannot celebrate Mass or administer the sacraments of penance, confirmation or anointing of the sick.

A deacon may be married or single when he is ordained. A widowed or single man who is ordained a deacon makes a lifelong promise of celibacy. A married deacon whose wife dies cannot marry again without a dispensation.

Most deacons continue working in their secular occupations while also serving in their ministry. Some, however, are full-time workers with parish staffs or Church institutions.

I find it especially encouraging that so many of the men being ordained are younger. Often, this vocation is seen as something guys do in their late 60s, after retirement. It’s good to see more in their 40’s and 50’s stepping forward.