Alumnus Rev. Daniel Mellino ’20 was ordained a transitional deacon for the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) on April 5, 2025, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in Nebraska. Surrounded by fellow seminarians, friends, and family, Deacon Mellino received the sacred order of the diaconate as he continues his journey toward the holy priesthood.
Deacon Mellino began his formation with the FSSP in 2018, discerning his vocation and undergoing rigorous spiritual, pastoral, and academic preparation. His ordination as a deacon marks a major step forward in that calling, one that brings him closer to priestly ordination next year. As a transitional deacon, he will now assist at Mass, preach, and undertake other responsibilities as part of his final preparation for the priesthood.
With his ordination, Deacon Mellino becomes the eleventh Christendom College alumnus to be ordained for the FSSP. He joins a growing list of alumni serving with the fraternity, including Fr. Joseph Portzer, Fr. Chris Pelster, Fr. Gerard Saguto, Fr. Daniel Heenan, Fr. Zach Akers, Fr. John Killackey, Fr. David McWhirter, Fr. Joseph Dalimata, Fr. Matthew Kane, and Fr. Joseph Duffy.
Deacon Mellino is one of two alumni currently serving as transitional deacons. Later this year, Br. Linus Mary (John) Martz, O.P., will be ordained to the priesthood, becoming the college’s 110th alumnus priest.
Since its founding in 1977, Christendom College has been a fertile ground for religious vocations. To date, 109 alumni have been ordained to the priesthood, with many others pursuing lives of service to the Church, including 52 religious sisters, 10 men in seminary, 2 consecrated virgins, and 608 alumni marriages.