Eleven permanent diaconate candidates will be ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacon by Cardinal Roger Mahony June 10 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.

The married candidates and their wives as well as one single candidate are members of the first class to have completed an introductory "aspirancy" year during their five-year formation period of study, service and prayer.

Apart from the "normal" process, however, "formation was a time for this class to come together and minister to each other," said Deacon Jerry Cellner, archdiocesan diaconate formation director. Members of the close-knit "Lydia" class consoled one another through family tragedies in 2004 when death took the lives of Jainee Abrera, the daughter of deacon candidate Jaime Abrera, in the summer, and deacon candidate Jerry Stephens a few months later.

"Jainee was my number one cheerleader," said Jaime about his late daughter, who taught religion at Providence High School for two years before her death. As the first deacon ever ordained for his parish, St. Francis Xavier in Burbank, Jaime feels "so blessed to see the entire parish excited about my ordination" and believes his daughter "will be there in spirit."

Stephens' widow Virginia, a DRE at St. Joseph the Worker Naval Base Chapel in Port Hueneme, will be present with the other wives during the ordination ceremony as they receive certificates of completion for full participation in the archdiocesan diaconate formation program. She continued to meet and study with the group after her husband's death, passing the final exam with flying colors.

"I was touched by the way Virginia committed to the program," said Claretian Father Frank Ferrante, diaconate formation coordinator.

Members of the Lydia formation group attended eight-hour classes every other Saturday covering a variety of topics, including Scripture, ecclesiology, Christology, liturgy, sacramental theology, moral theology, canon law, homiletics, spirituality and ministerial skills.

"It's been educational, inviting and challenging and a very enjoyable time for both my wife and I," said James Egnatuk, deacon candidate from St. Lawrence Martyr Church in Redondo Beach. The Bishop Montgomery High School surfing coach said he's become more spiritually integrated since he entered diaconate formation.

"I've learned to look deep within myself," said Egnatuk. Surfing after 6:15 a.m. daily Mass has become "very spiritual" for the deacon candidate who says he can't wait for ordination. His wife Didi says she will miss seeing her "22 best friends" from the Lydia class, but looks forward to "a new opening."

"I've grown so much. I've become more all-embracing," said Didi. Following are brief profiles of the Lydia formation class members, who will all serve in their home parishes.