Sydney seminarians Daniel Russo and Joseph Hamilton were ordained to the diaconate at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome on 2 October along with 37 of their confreres from the Pontifical North American College.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York was the main celebrant at the happy occasion, which was also attended by the ordinands’ families and friends, including George Cardinal Pell, curial economy prefect and former Archbishop of Sydney.
Sydney priests Frs Daniel McCaughan and Lewi Barakat were also there to see their friends and now-fellow ministers ordained.
Deacon Daniel was 19 when he entered the seminary while the Deacon Joseph was in his 30s and a high flyer in finance.
They will complete their studies in Rome before returning to Sydney in 2016 where they will serve as deacons in parishes while preparing for ordination to the priesthood.