Australian Jesuit Brett O’Neill was ordained to the diaconate in St Ignatius Church, Boston College on 18 September. He was one of 12 men – 11 Jesuits and a Capuchin friar – ordained by Most Rev Mark O’Connell, Auxiliary Bishop of Boston. Besides Australia, the Jesuits come from provinces across the United States, one from East Africa, and one from the Bohemia province.

In his homily, the Bishop reminded the ordinands that they would remain deacons even after they are ordained priests, so this is a time for them to be grounded in service and prayer. He offered reflections on three key aspects of the diaconate – preaching, prayer, and service. He advised them to “preach to the people in front of you,” reminding them that, “you cannot be totally on your own in prayer… God calls us to new depth through spiritual direction… You cannot reach the intimacy you desire with God on your own on this earth.” On service, he reflected that: “A true servant of God serves first in the day-to-day things all around us. Be aware and alert to all those around you…Be aware of God’s need for you to serve in ways great and small.”

Australian scholastic Joshua Choong SJ, Deacon Brett O’Neill SJ, and Australian Province Formation Delegate Fr Dan Madigan SJ

Deacon O’Neill grew up in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales. He was previously in religious and priestly formation with the Missionaries of God’s Love (MGL) in Canberra and Melbourne. After he left the MGLs, he worked as a policy officer with the Australian Government. He joined the Jesuits in 2014 and did First Studies in Melbourne. He spent his Regency at Jesuit Social Services, working in policy advocacy and with newly-arrived migrants. He went to Boston in 2018 to study for an STL and now a PhD in theological ethics.

“Even though family and friends could not travel to Boston for the ordination because of Covid restrictions, I was really grateful that they were able to watch online,” said Deacon O’Neill. “I’m grateful, too, for the prayers and support of my Jesuit brothers in Australia and the conference.”

“I think the bishop’s reminder that ordained ministry is about service is particularly important today,” he said. “It’s a challenging time to be moving into ordained ministry in the Church; it means that our ministry must be marked, first of all, by generous service as disciples of Jesus.”