Advent Hope Shines as Seminarian Kaique Santos Prepares for the Diaconate

Dec

2025

A New Chapter of Joy: Kaique Santos to be Ordained a Deacon

As the second week of Advent concludes and we prepare for the third week with a theme of Joy, Seminarian Kaique Santos will be ordained to the Transitional Diaconate on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption. This joyful milestone marks an important step in his journey toward the priesthood, as he pursues a life of service, sacrament, and proclaiming the Gospel.

As reported in The Anchor, born in Brazil, Kaique’s vocation was shaped by family loss, transformative youth retreats, and years of prayer, discernment, and formation, which eventually led him to the Diocese of Fall River, where he immediately felt called to serve. As he prepares for ordination, he describes this moment as a profound new chapter marked by trust, fidelity, and a deep desire to serve God’s people with joy.

We invite the faithful throughout the Diocese to pray for Kaique during these days of preparation. If you are available, please know you are invited to the Mass on Saturday. May the Holy Spirit strengthen him with grace, deepen his love for Christ and His Church, and guide him as he responds generously to God’s call.

Reflecting on the Third Week of Advent

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness,

but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

This past week, I along with staff in my office. had some time to decorate my Christmas tree. While a secular decoration for Christmas, I enjoy how the lights on the tree brighten what would otherwise be a dark room, a reminder of how Christ is indeed the light of the world.

This week, we continue the reflections offered by the Deans of the Diocese, which began with Christ the King and will conclude on the last Sunday of Advent. Fr. Riley Williams provided a reflection to begin the series, and Fr. Thomas Washburn offered a reflection on the first Sunday of Advent and the start of a new Liturgical year for the Church. Last week, Fr. Christopher Peschel reflected on the second Sunday of Advent.

This week, Father Neil Wack, a priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross, who is pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Easton, reflects on the third Sunday of Advent.

Gaudete! Rejoice! Each season of the Church year is important, and each day within the year as well, but I must confess, I love this particular day, Gaudete Sunday. We wear rose-colored (not pink!) vestments as a sign of joy, knowing the celebration of Christmas day is near. We rejoice in the fact that Jesus Christ has come into the world. He is the Light that scatters the darkness of gloom, doubt, discouragement, and sin. His Light shines upon our path, bringing us ever closer to our heavenly home.

It is good to be open about our joy, so that people may be drawn to the light of Christ. Saint Peter admitted as much in his first letter: “Now who is going to harm you if you are enthusiastic for what is good? But even if you should suffer because of righteousness, blessed are you. Do not be afraid or terrified with fear of them, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope.” (1 Peter 3: 13-15) Wouldn’t it be something if people constantly asked “Why are you so joyful?” and we could respond with a profession of faith? As Pope Leo XIV recently said, “The smile on our lips is the sign of grace within us.”

Brothers and sisters, our goal in this life is to get to heaven. So our every thought, word and action should be oriented toward heaven. That takes time, of course, and a desire to make our hearts a home for the Lord. When we get distracted or stumble into sin, and fall off the path of righteousness, the darkness can seem to obscure everything. However, all we need to do is turn our faces toward Jesus once again, and He is there. And wouldn’t you know it, we have been given a Sacrament for just such an occasion! That’s right, we have been given the Sacrament of Reconciliation to bring into the light the sin and shame that lurks in the darkness.

Thanks be to God, there are plenty of opportunities to go to Confession throughout our diocese. Let us avail ourselves of this Sacrament of Healing, and heed the words of John the Baptist by repenting, preparing the way of the Lord.

The light of the Advent wreath gets ever brighter today, reminding us that we are called t to bring hope and joy to the world, through Jesus Christ. In the midst of a busy time, let us take a few moments each day to keep this season of hope with personal prayer and reflection. As we wait in joyful hope, let us pray for one another!