Bishop Studerus ordains Salesian deacon
Salesian Thomas S. Junis was ordained to the diaconate on Saturday, June 21, by Auxiliary Bishop Gregory J. Studerus of the Archdiocese of Newark. The Rite of Ordination was celebrated at Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Orange, N.J.
The Salesians of Don Bosco traditionally hold their own ordinations, with the location varying among the different dioceses where the congregation is present from year to year. Twenty-three Salesian priests concelebrated at this year’s Ordination Mass. About a dozen Salesian brothers, both coadjutors and seminarians, also took part. Also present were Brother Tom’s parents and godparents, along with many members of his family and his extended Salesian family.
Bishop Studerus, 77, whose retirement was announced at the end of May, told those present that he had begun to think he would never have an opportunity to ordain anyone. Not long ago, however, the Newark Benedictines called upon his ministry; Brother Tom’s diaconal ordination thus became his second such celebration. A longtime pastor in the Newark Archdiocese, Bishop Studerus said that he has always relished pastoral ministry and is delighted to continue that work.
A wonderful, beautiful calling
In his homily, Bishop Studerus noted the upcoming Feast of Corpus Christi, a celebration of the Word of God’s coming into the world as one of us. He linked the Divine Word to Deacon Tom’s call to proclaim the Word through his preaching of the Gospel and the witness of his life.
Referring to the gospel of Jesus’ washing the feet of the apostles that had been read moments earlier, the bishop directed the new deacon to imitate the Master’s example in his service to Christ and God’s people. “What a wonderful, beautiful calling!” he exclaimed.
The bishop continued by observing that with the strength of the Holy Spirit, Deacon Tom will assist the Salesians wherever he serves, along with the local bishop, by proclaiming the Word of God, providing sacramental assistance, and leading public prayer. “Do the will of God in charity and from the depth of your heart,” he exhorted the ordinand.
At the beginning of Mass, Father Dominic Tran, S.D.B., provincial of the Salesian Province of St. Philip the Apostle, welcomed everyone to the liturgy, especially Bishop Studerus. As the ordination rite began, he presented Brother Tom and assured the bishop that he was ready for ordination. When the bishop accepted the candidate, the congregation signaled their approval with applause.
Deacon Tom later thanked God, Mary Help of Christians, his family, Bishop Studerus, and numerous confreres and others who assisted him in discerning and following his Salesian vocation. He also directed a message in Spanish to his friends and supporters watching via livestream from Mexico, where he studied theology.
“So much grace at work”
Deacon Tom Junis was born in Illinois. He began to discern his religious vocation when he was a university student. Early on, Tom made St. John Bosco his patron for his educational efforts and went to Turin in 2015 on a Don Bosco bicentennial pilgrimage. After earning a degree in early childhood education from Illinois State University in Bloomington, he entered the Salesians at Orange, N.J., as a candidate in 2016.
His parents felt overwhelmed by their son’s vocation and the celebration of his ordination. Mrs. Junis saw “so much grace at work,” but admitted it wasn’t easy for her at the beginning of her son’s vocational journey. Now she’s “so proud of him.” At the same time, she was not surprised by his vocation; even in grammar school, some called him “Father Tom,” she said.
Deacon Tom’s ordination marked both the province’s first ordination in two years and the first to the diaconate in three years. For his final year of theological preparation for the priesthood, Deacon Tom will study at the Chicago Theological Union and live with the Salesian community in Chicago, based at St. John Bosco-St. James Parish.
Featured image: Auxiliary Bishop Gregory J. Studerus of the Archdiocese of Newark ordains Deacon Thomas S. Junis on June 21, 2025. (Photos courtesy of Father Michael Mendl, S.D.B.)
