North Kingstown Native to be Ordained Transitional Deacon

NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI—North Kingstown's Stephen M. Battey will be ordained a transitional deacon on Saturday, marking another step toward his path to the priesthood.

Battey will be ordained by Auxiliary Bishop Robert C. Evans at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul in Providence. 

Seminarians Brian J. Morris of East Greenwich and Jean Joseph Brice of Providence will also be ordained as deacons.

Battey, son of Mark and Mary Ellen (Mimi) Battey, of North Kingstown graduated from North Kingstown High School and entered the Seminary of Our Lady of Providence in 2011 and attended Providence College where he received a B.A. degree in Philosophy.  In 2013, he was assigned to continue his seminary formation at St. John Seminary in Boston, Massachusetts.

 As a seminarian, his summer parish assignments included St. Rocco, Johnston, St. Agatha, Woonsocket and St. Pius X in Westerly.  After his diaconate ordination, Battey will serve as a deacon for the summer at St. Margaret Parish in East Providence before returning to the seminary to complete his formation for the priesthood.

 The transitional deacons will finish their last year of seminary preparation prior to their ordination to the priesthood.  As a transitional deacon, they may baptize, proclaim the Gospel and preach at Mass, distribute Communion, witness marriages and lead rites for Christian burials.