Osborne to be ordained a deacon May 23

Published: April 22, 2026

En Español

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor will celebrate the diaconate ordination Mass of seminarian Joshua Osborne at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 23 in his home parish, St. Joseph in Conway. A reception will follow in the parish hall. All are invited to attend.

Prior to the ordination, all are invited to a special eucharistic adoration and vespers service Friday, May 22 at 6:30 p.m. also at St. Joseph Church. During this time, prayers will be offered for Osborne and for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

Being ordained a transitional deacon is a major step toward priestly ordination. Osborne is currently studying at St. Meinrad Seminary in St. Meinrad, Indiana. Following his diaconate ordination, he will preach his first homilies May 23 at the 4 p.m. Mass and May 24 at the 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Masses at St. Joseph Church.

Osborne, 25, is the son of Scott and Ellen Osborne of Conway. In his 2023 vocation story he wrote, "When we approach each personal encounter with the question: 'How can I love this person with gentleness and humility?' then we set the stage for God’s grace to work in our communities.

"As I continue my formation as a seminarian, I am continually driven by the overwhelming dedication of the Catholic people here in Arkansas. I have heard many stories and met many individuals whose faith inspires them to give so much of their time and energy to the Church," he added. "It is for these people, as well as for those who have not heard the Good News of Christ’s death and resurrection, that I wish to give my life as a diocesan priest." Read the rest of his story.

For more information, contact Georgina Peña in the Vocations and Seminarians Office at at (501) 664-0340, ext 353.