CHARLESTON — Robert F. Higgins was ordained to the transitional diaconate at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist May 22. Diaconate ordination is another step for Deacon Higgins as he makes his way to the priesthood. As a deacon, he promises celibacy, simplicity, obedience, and to pray daily the Liturgy of the Hours.
This ceremony highlighted the completion of Higgins’ pastoral year, where he was assigned to St. Peter Church in Beaufort working under Father Ronald Cellini.
He will return to St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, Fla., to complete his final year of preparation for the priesthood.
The seminarian, who is bilingual, has worked with the Hispanic community, in prison ministry, in youth ministry, and with the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
He was born in Liberty, N.Y., Aug. 22, 1960. Throughout his Catholic upbringing, he always thought he wanted to become a priest. He had several occupations before committing his life to the priesthood in 2001.
“God is and always has been there for me,” Higgins said.