ATLANTA--John R. Anderson, a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Atlanta studying at the Pontifical North American College, was ordained a transitional deacon at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, Italy.

Cardinal Edward Cassidy, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, was the ordaining prelate.

This marks the final step in Rev. Mr. Anderson's formation before ordination to the priesthood.

"I never felt joy like I did that day, flooded. . .in the Spirit's embrace," Rev. Mr. Anderson wrote in a letter to The Georgia Bulletin. "It was quite a ceremony and the happiest day of my life."

Forty-two people including Msgr. Don Kenny, director of vocations, and Father Stephen Churchwell, pastor of Sacred Heart, Atlanta, attended Rev. Mr. Anderson's diaconal ordination Oct. 5. His parents, Evelyn and Bob Anderson, and sister, Susan, were also able to attend.

Rev. Mr. Anderson was one of 22 candidates from 19 U.S. dioceses to be ordained. The class included Paul Scalia, the son of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.

Prior to the ordination, Rev. Mr. Anderson and the other seminarians scheduled to be ordained were greeted by Pope John Paul II during a meeting at the Vatican Oct. 3.

"For a long time you have been preparing spiritually and academically for the sacramental configuration with Christ, the servant, which you will now receive, and I urge you to live the obligations of your new state with the utmost fervor and dedication," Pope John Paul II said.

The pope prayed for the diaconate class and met with each of the candidates' parents before traveling to the U. S. Oct. 4-Oct. 8.

Rev. Mr. Anderson, who grew up in Fairfield, Conn., earned a degree in political science and theology from Boston College in 1986. As a student at Boston College he did missionary work in Appalachia, Belize and Haiti.

After working in the business world for several years, he began to explore his calling to the priesthood with a spiritual advisor. Rev. Mr. Anderson earned his degree in sacred theology from the Pontifical University in 1994 and is currently working toward a specialized degree in ecumenism. He is expected to be ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Atlanta in June 1996.