It was a persistent and unshakable feeling... there must be something more than this. A six-year journey to find his something more culminates on September 5.
Assistant campus minister Nick Ascioti enjoyed enjoyed a 25-year career as a freelance composer, but the work had become less and less fulfilling. In 2014, while sitting in Carnegie Hall listening to his music being performed, he longed for something else. Ascioti's friends knew what it was before he did.
The Albany diocesan initiative Called by Name encouraged men to consider becoming a deacon. Members of St. Jude the Apostle parish, where Ascioti serves as music minister, urged him to consider. It was months before he finally took the hint. With the blessing of his wife and two daughters, Ascioti took the first step of a six-year journey.
Ascioti entered the diaconate formation in 2014. In the Albany diocese, the six-year formation requires a once per month weekend commitment, retreats, reflection, and a Master of Divinity degree - which Ascioti completed last summer. Ordination was originally scheduled for May, but postponed by the pandemic to September 5.
“The challenges and joys that occured during formation have been a great gift and have affirmed that this call to ministry had been the 'something more' I was seeking."
From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:
"A deacon is an ordained minister of the Catholic Church. There are three groups, 'orders,' of ordained ministers in the Church: bishops, presbyters, and deacons. Deacons are ordained as a sacramental sign to the Church and to the world of Christ, who came 'to serve and not to be served.' The entire Church is called by Christ to serve, and the deacon, in virtue of his sacramental ordination and through his various ministries, is to be a servant in a servant-Church."
“This past Saturday as I entered the church for Mass, I was struck with feelings of nervousness and excitement as I realized that ordination was a week away. Saturday's ordination does not mark an ending, but rather a beginning to whatever God calls me to in ministry. I am grateful to my colleagues at Siena College who have supported me with their encouragement and prayers."
Nick Ascioti, assistant campus minister