Archbishop Wilton Gregory Wilson ordains Brother Ronald Conklin

Cumming, Georgia -- “It’s been a blessing beyond belief.” 

These are the words of Kathleen Conklin, whose son, Brother Ronald Conklin LC, was ordained to the deaconate on the feast day of St. John the Baptist, Sunday, June 24, 2012. 

“I want to encourage all mothers out there, never be afraid of a vocation in your family but pray for one. It’s a beautiful thing,” she said. 

Brother Ronald’s father Don said they are now looking forward to his priestly ordination in December, 2012. 

The most reverend Archbishop of Atlanta, Msgr. Wilton Gregory Wilson, ordained Brother Ronald in the chapel of Pinecrest Academy, Cumming, Georgia, at a ceremony at 2:00 pm. 

As Brother Ronald was ordained, the Archbishop presented him with a Bible and said:

“Receive the gospel of Christ, whose herald you have become.  Believe what you read, teach what

	Brother Ronald Conklin with his parents and Archbishop

you believe and practice what you teach.” 

His ordination precedes the Rome event on June 30, 2012, when 30 men will be ordained to the diaconate in the Legion of Christ.  The ordinations follow an average of 12 years of study and preparation. 

Originally from Temperance, in southeast Michigan, Brother Ronald joined the Legion in the year 2000 and is the oldest of seven children. 

At the age of 12, he was invited to visit the seminary of the Legionaries of Christ in Cheshire, Connecticut, which made a lasting impression.  After high school, Brother Ronald entered the Regnum Christi Mission Corps program, serving a year in Mexico. 

“After that year I wanted to make sure God was not calling me to the priesthood, so I went to the candidacy in Cheshire,” he said. “I decided not to leave until I was sure that God did not want me to be a priest.  About one year later, after my first year of novitiate in Ireland, I decided that God was calling me to give my life to Him in the Legion.” 

Brother Ronald studied classical humanities for two years in Salamanca, Spain, where he served for a three-year apostolic internship as an assistant to the instructor of novices.  He continued studying philosophy in Thornwood, New York, where he also served as an assistant to the rector.  In Rome, he continued theology studies for a year and then returned to Thornwood to serve as vice-rector.  Most recently, he served as dean of students at Immaculate Conception Apostolic School in New Hampshire. 

Brother Ronald said prior to his ordination that he “is nervous but confident.” 

“Ordination is a massive responsibility and commitment, and that makes one shiver. But when you know that God is asking it of you, there is nothing to fear.” 

Please join us in prayer for the newly ordained Brother Ronald and all those who will be ordained on June 30, and that the Lord will continue to “send out laborers into His harvest.” 

To see a video of his ordination, click here.