Archdiocesan news

Photo gallery: Five men ordained to transitional diaconate

Jacob Wiegand
Submitted on May 9, 2026

Five men were ordained as transitional deacons by Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski on Saturday, May 9, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. The men — John Paul Angeli, Alex Cammarata, Mark Koenemann, Curtis Prize and Benjamin Wolf — are now starting their last year of formation before being ordained as priests for the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

Meet the new transitional deacons in the Review’s profile story.

Five men lay prostrate during the litany of supplication during the rite of ordination of deacons Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. (Photo by Jacob Wiegand | St. Louis Review | jacobwiegand@archstl.org)
From left: Mark Koenemann, Alex Cammarata, Curtis Prize, John Paul Angeli and Benjamin Wolf prayed before the start of Mass where they were ordained to the transitional diaconate Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the rectory of the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. (Photo by Jacob Wiegand | St. Louis Review | jacobwiegand@archstl.org)
From left: Benjamin Wolf, John Paul Angeli, Curtis Prize, Alex Cammarata and Mark Koenemann processed to the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis for Mass where they were ordained to the transitional diaconate Saturday, May 9, 2026, in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jacob Wiegand | St. Louis Review | jacobwiegand@archstl.org)
From left: Benjamin Wolf, Curtis Prize, Mark Koenemann, Alex Cammarata and John Paul Angeli waited for the start of the Mass where they were ordained to the transitional diaconate Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. (Photo by Jacob Wiegand | St. Louis Review | jacobwiegand@archstl.org)
Front row, from left: Benjamin Wolf, Curtis Prize, Mark Koenemann, Alex Cammarata and John Paul Angeli folded their hands during Mass where they were ordained to the transitional diaconate Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. (Photo by Jacob Wiegand | St. Louis Review | jacobwiegand@archstl.org)
Men stood with their hands folded before being ordained to the transitional diaconate Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. (Photo by Jacob Wiegand | St. Louis Review | jacobwiegand@archstl.org)
John Paul Angeli placed his hands in those of Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski during the promise of obedience during the rite of ordination of deacons Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. (Photo by Jacob Wiegand | St. Louis Review | jacobwiegand@archstl.org)
Five men lay prostrate during the litany of supplication during the rite of ordination of deacons Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. (Photo by Jacob Wiegand | St. Louis Review | jacobwiegand@archstl.org)
Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski placed his hands on the head of Curtis Prize during the rite of ordination of deacons Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. (Photo by Jacob Wiegand | St. Louis Review | jacobwiegand@archstl.org)
Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski placed his hands on the head of Alex Cammarata during the rite of ordination of deacons Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. (Photo by Jacob Wiegand | St. Louis Review | jacobwiegand@archstl.org)
Alex Cammarata prayed during the rite of ordination of deacons Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. (Photo by Jacob Wiegand | St. Louis Review | jacobwiegand@archstl.org)
Deacon Mark Koenemann (left) was vested by Father Jason Schumer and Deacon Curtis Prize (right) was vested by Father Anthony Gerber during the rite of ordination of deacons Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. (Photo by Jacob Wiegand | St. Louis Review | jacobwiegand@archstl.org)
Deacon Benjamin Wolf (right) and Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski held the Book of the Gospels during the rite of ordination of deacons Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. (Photo by Jacob Wiegand | St. Louis Review | jacobwiegand@archstl.org)
Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski embraced Deacon Mark Koenemann during the kiss of peace during the rite of ordination of deacons Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. (Photo by Jacob Wiegand | St. Louis Review | jacobwiegand@archstl.org)
Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski (with microphone) read assignments for newly-ordained deacons (from left) John Paul Angeli, Alex Cammarata, Mark Koenemann, Curtis Prize and Benjamin Wolf after their ordination to the transitional diaconate Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. (Photo by Jacob Wiegand | St. Louis Review | jacobwiegand@archstl.org)
Deacon John Paul Angeli (left) and Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski laughed following Deacon Angeli’s ordination to the transitional diaconate Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. (Photo by Jacob Wiegand | St. Louis Review | jacobwiegand@archstl.org)
Deacon Mark Koenemann was congratulated by fellow clergy after his ordination to the transitional diaconate Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. (Photo by Jacob Wiegand | St. Louis Review | jacobwiegand@archstl.org)
Deacon Curtis Prize met with Gloria Sewell (left) and Stacy Johnson at a reception following Deacon Prize’s ordination to the transitional diaconate Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Boland Hall next to the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. Sewell and Johnson are parishioners at St. Peter Claver Parish where Deacon Prize served as a seminarian. (Photo by Jacob Wiegand | St. Louis Review | jacobwiegand@archstl.org)
Deacon Alex Cammarata gave a blessing over (kneeling from left) Aspirant Isamarie, Sr. Maria del Carmen and Mother Paulina of the Cross, of the Consecrates of the Most Holy Savior in Flint Hill, Missouri, during a reception following Deacon Cammarata’s ordination to the transitional diaconate Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Boland Hall next to the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. (Photo by Jacob Wiegand | St. Louis Review | jacobwiegand@archstl.org)

Topics:

Related Articles