Meet the Ordination Class of 2026

In celebration of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations on Good Shepherd Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Easter, the Secretariat on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations is pleased to offer the results of the survey, The Class of 2026: Survey of Ordinands to the Priesthood, taken of deacons preparing to be ordained to the priesthood this year.

We asked some of the members of the Ordination Class of 2026 to tell us something about themselves that others might find surprising. Their answers provide some insight as to how each discovered their vocational call. Congratulations to the Ordination Class of 2026!

 

“I didn't want to go to the seminary at first. My call to the priesthood began in childhood through serving at the altar and deepened unexpectedly during a missionary assignment to a remote Colombian village when I was 20, where, despite initial doubts, I experienced profound joy in bringing Christ to humble families and witnessed God's grace alive in their generosity and hunger for Jesus. That transformative moment on the mountain revealed to me that this is what I want to do with my life: to speak about Jesus, accompany people in their faith, and bring them closer to the sacraments and the heart of the Church.” 

                                                                           - Dcn. Herley Mendez, Diocese of Bridgeport

 

“Portrait Photography is my personal hobby. I have been taking the official portraits of fellow seminarians and faculty at St. Patrick's for the past seven years. It has been a great way to get to know people because a good portrait captures both likeness and personality.” 

- Dcn. Dereck Delgado, Archdiocese of San Francisco

 

 

“My family has been blessed with vocations to the priesthood. My great uncle, Fr. Jim Schaefer, is a retired priest for the Archdiocese of St. Louis. My uncle, Fr. Bill Elser,  and my older brother, Fr. Stephen Elser, are both priests for the Diocese of Little Rock. I also have a cousin, Andrew Schaefer, who is currently in seminary studying for the Diocese of Little Rock.”

- Dcn. Christopher Elser, Diocese of Little Rock

 

 

“For seven years, I was anti-Catholic. At 28, I gave the Church another chance. During a retreat, I went to confession and Eucharistic adoration, and that experience changed the course of my life. Five years later, I entered the seminary after 15 years in banking.” 

- Dcn. Justino Moreno, Diocese of St. Augustine

 

 

“I was always afraid of speaking publically before I became a Dominican. It was always frightening to imagine speaking or preaching before hundreds of people, but now I love it. Preaching about Jesus is the greatest gift I could ask for.” 

- Dcn. Dominick Jean, Dominican Friars, Province of St. Albert the Great

 

 

 

“I did not grow up as a Catholic but went through RCIA and was baptized in college at age 19."

- Dcn. Benedict Mary Bartsch, Order of Preachers, Western Dominican Province

 

 

 

“I grew up a true N-O-N-E, and it wasn't until age 30 that I met and fell in love with Jesus, discovering my vocation. That vocation is born out of prayer, rooted in love, and driven by mission to help God get His family back.” 

- Dcn. James Musgrave, Archdiocese of Detroit

 

 

“I had a dual major in college focusing on Islam and plant molecular biology.”

- Dcn. Erin Kast,  Society of Jesus- Midwest

 

 

 

 

“After graduating from college and starting a career in development, I found myself searching for a part of my life that had eluded me while in search of a life of success built on personal achievement. The more successful I became, the more I yearned for something deeper and infinitely more meaningful. It wasn’t until I surrendered myself to the Will of God that I found what I had been yearning for, a life united to Christ as His humble servant. From that moment and in every moment since, God has given me a peace and joy that surpasses all understanding, known only to me in my vocation to the Priesthood.”

                                                                                - Dcn. Robert Bart, III, Archdiocese of Baltimore

 

“I heard God's voice through the bishop when he was preaching on the first reading (I Samual 3, 1- 10. I felt he was calling me to serve him and his people.” 

- Dcn. John Becerra, Diocese of Lexington

 

 

 

“Diocesan priesthood was the one vocation I didn't consider for a long time. I wanted to be married or be a religious. But a great vocation director for a certain religious community reminded me that my vocation in life would help me to love as selflessly as possible. Once I started asking God what He wanted, rather than just thinking about what I wanted, He made this calling quite clear.”

- Dcn. Samuel Martinez, Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend

 

“I never thought about priesthood before college, despite my deep interest in theology and apologetics. I wrestled with a priestly vocation for years. It all began to make sense to me when I first read the life of St. Philip Neri.” 

- Dcn. Joshua Vargas, The Oratory

 

 

“I have the hiking trail name "Slip" which was bestowed on me as a tongue-in-cheek reference to how much I slip and fall when hiking.”

- Dcn. Tyler Davis, Diocese of Allentown

 

 

 

“I am a Brazilian who, after 8 years in a Salesian community in Brazil moved to the US to become a diocesan priest because I wanted to help the church where there was a major need for vocations.”

- Dcn. Kaique Duarte Santos, Diocese of Fall River

 

 

“I worked as an intern at Walt Disney World, and then for Rosen Hotels and Resorts in Orlando, FL for several years before entering the Seminary.”

- Dcn. Sinclair Cushmore, Diocese of Orlando

 

 

 

“I relate so intensely with my Confirmation Saint. Saint Augustine, in speaking of his own conversion and call, says “You called, you shouted, and you broke through my deafness. You flashed, you shone, and you dispelled my blindness. You breathed your fragrance on me; I drew in breath and now I pant for you. I have tasted you, now I hunger and thirst for more. You touched me, and I burned for your peace.” My heart rejoices and echoes St. Augustine’s words. My only hope and desire is to aid others to find peace and solace in Christ too.” 

                                                                                          - Dcn. Koby Nguyen, Diocese of Wichita

 

“I was Flight Attendant for Delta Airlines.”

- Dcn. William Sigl, Archdiocese of New Orleans

 

 

 

“From college graduation to the altar: my journey toward the priesthood began in 2018, and it has been the most joyful path of my life. Every year of seminary has been happier than the last, confirming the beauty of God’s call. I am deeply thankful to Jesus for the grace to follow Him. I look forward to my ordination in the Syro-Malabar rite on June 27, 2026, in New York. All glory to God!”

- Dcn. Moses Stephen, Saint Thomas – Syro Malabar

 

“Before seminary, I had a relationship of five years before I experienced the call to the priesthood while praying Morning Prayer with the Dominican Friars at Providence College.” 

- Dcn. Vincent Zizza, Diocese of Providence

 

 

“Growing up, I loved soccer, but little did I know that God had other plans for me. Now I am happy to share the good news of Jesus Christ with everyone I encounter. There is no joy greater than to be in the service of the Lord.”

- Dcn. Terna Paul Adikpe, Diocese of Beaumont