BY SUSAN STEVENOT SULLIVAN

For Rev. Mr. Greg Benassu, who grew up in New Jersey, all roads lead to, and between, Rome -- Rome, Ga., not Rome, Italy.

Rev. Mr. Benassu was ordained a transitional deacon July 9 at St. Mary's Church in Rome, Georgia where he has spent a pastoral year and this summer working with parishioners, before returning to Rome, Italy, to resume his studies.

His father, sister and his two nephews from New Jersey were able to attend the ordination, which was celebrated by Archbishop John F. Donoghue.

"It was wonderful to have been here where I had done my pastoral year," he said, "where I knew the parishioners, where I can be involved in setting up the church, preparing for the reception. I was asked about the flowers and the food and was there while people were cooking."

"It was a wonderful day," he said. "I told people if I'd planned it myself I couldn't have done better."

The 35-year-old transitional deacon expects to be ordained to the priesthood next summer and celebrate his first Mass at St. Mary's. He will then return to Rome, Italy, for a final year of study for a licentiate in theology with a major in dogma.

The foundation for his vocation was established during his years as an undergraduate at Rider College near Trenton, New Jersey, he said. He was a lector and worked closely with two parish priests, attending Mass regularly and making retreats.

His four years as a computer programmer were followed by one-and-a-half years as a computer analyst. While commuting to this job on a train, Rev. Mr. Benassu said he would read the Bible while everyone else studied the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. At the time he didn't think his choice of reading material unusual.

The turning point came in the office elevator one day as he shared a ride with his boss.

"I looked over at him," Rev. Mr. Benassu said. "He was doing a lot of traveling. He was middle-aged. He was divorced and I thought, in ten years this is where I'll be. At that point I thought ‘No.'"

“I liked computers, but it wasn't translating into anything meaningful," he continued. "The voices from college asking me if I explored whether or not I had a vocation to the priesthood or religious brotherhood came back."

Exploring that possible vocation took the form of entering St. Mary's seminary in Baltimore for two years, followed by inquiries into several religious orders. Returning to diocesan formation he was introduced to Father Donald Kenny, vocations director, by other seminarians of this archdiocese. The pastoral year in Rome, Georgia and years of study in Rome, Italy resulted.

"Father Don left a very positive impression of himself and the archdiocese," Rev. Mr. Benassu explained. "I had wanted to get away from New Jersey to a slower pace and a smaller group."

"The emotional, spiritual and financial support offered to seminarians by the Archdiocese of Atlanta is one of the best programs in the country," he continued.

After all his studies are completed, he would like to teach. He would prefer teaching at the high school level, but said the catechetical challenge in the Order of Christian Initiation program is attractive as well.

"I like doing anything related to the Bible," he said. "People think I'm a convert I am so biblically oriented."

Studying in Rome will also influence his ministry. Rev. Mr. Benassu said life in Rome has made him more aware of both the geographical and historical scope of the Church.

"St. Peter's tomb is my favorite place to go," he said. "The current altar in the basilica is from the sixteenth century, below it is an altar from the twelfth century. Below that is a seventh century altar which encloses a fourth century altar. Below that is a second century structure and below that is Peter's grave from the first century."

"It's absolutely fascinating," he continued. "When I stand looking at these altars, its screams to me of our tradition, of all the people through the centuries who have passed on the faith."