In 1899, Fr. Paul Wattson, SA, Servant of God (then Episcopalian priest Rev. Lewis T. Wattson) took his vows as a Friar of the Atonement. Ten years later, in 1909, Fr. Paul and 16 others in the Society of the Atonement were received into the Catholic Church. One hundred and ten years after that, Deacon Jose Delgado followed in Father Paul’s footsteps, taking the journey from being an Episcopalian priest to a Catholic member of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement.
On Sunday, December 9th, 2018, Deacon Jose Delgado was received into full communion with the Catholic Church and on the same day made his first vows as a Franciscan Friar of the
Atonement. This prayerful celebration took place at the Cathedral of San Rufino in Assisi, Italy.
Then, on January 23, 2019, he was ordained a deacon in the Catholic Church at a Mass presided over by The Most Rev. Donald Reece, Emeritus Archbishop of Kingston.
Deacon Jose’s entrance into the community is of particular significance because of its similarity to Father Paul’s own life story. They, like so many other Friars throughout the history of the community felt a strong call to promote the cause of unity within the Church and within society. How fitting it is then that Deacon Jose entered the Catholic Church, and is now part of the community that Father Paul founded!
For the past year, Deacon Jose has been in prayerful discernment and preparation for his transfer to the Friars. The Friars welcome him to the ministry!