ROME — Charlotte seminarian Deacon Jacob (Jake) Mlakar was ordained to the transitional diaconate during a Mass Oct. 3 at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica.
Deacon Mlakar is the son of Bruce and Marilyn Mlakar and is a parishioner of St. Matthew Church in Charlotte.
He is in his final year of studies at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.
He is expected to be ordained to the priesthood next June along with the Deacon Jonathan Torres, who is studying at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Ohio.
Deacon Mlakar was vested at Mass by Father Paul Buchanan, pastor of Our Lady of Grace Church in Greensboro.
Thirty-one men were ordained during the two-and-a-half-hour Mass.
Watch video of the ordination:
MEET DEACON JAKE MLAKAR
City of birth - Akron, Ohio
Birthday - April 10, 1992
Raised in – Hudson, Ohio (moved to Waxhaw in 2007 at age 15)
Elementary and Middle School - Hudson City Schools (Hudson, Ohio)
High School - Marvin Ridge High School (Marvin)
College - University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, B.A. in history and religious studies
Pre-Theology - Pontifical College Josephinum, Bachelor in Philosophy
Theology - Pontifical North American College (earned the S.T.B at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, beginning work on the S.T.L at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas)
Home Parish – St. Matthew Church (Charlotte)
Summer Assignments in the Diocese - St. Eugene Church (Asheville), St. Mark Church (Huntersville), St. Vincent de Paul Church (Charlotte)
CNH: What are some of your interests/hobbies?
Deacon Mlakar: I love to read, hike and watch good movies. I especially enjoy reading history and religious books. I also love to spend time with friends and family.
CNH: When did you first realize you had a vocation to the priesthood?
Deacon Mlakar: I grew up Catholic, but being a priest was not something I thought about when I was younger. In high school and college, I became more involved with my faith, and I found a vibrant Catholic community when I went to UNC. This caused me to think and pray more about what God was calling me to do with my life, and it was in the middle of my sophomore year of college when I first strongly felt the call to the priesthood.
I prayed about it often and began to meet with my pastor in Charlotte, Monsignor John McSweeney, who was a great source of encouragement. By the time I graduated college, I knew I had to take the next step and apply for the seminary. Following the path of this vocation is something that has continued to bring a great peace and joy to my life.
CNH: Is there any comment you would like to share with our readers about becoming a transitional deacon for the Diocese of Charlotte?
Deacon Mlakar: I’m extremely grateful for the support I’ve received from the countless parishioners across the diocese, especially those I have gotten to know at my parish assignments. I look forward to serving you as a priest after this final year of seminary formation!
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter. Photos provided by Mary Ann Kirchner and via Facebook.
Pictured: Bruce Mlakar, Nicholas Mlakar, Deacon Jake Mlakar, Marilyn Mlakar and Father Pat Hoare who is their pastor at St. Matthew Church in Charlotte.