Author: Eric Deabill

WASHINGTON (OSV News) – In his seven visits to America during his papacy, St. John Paul II often shared his mastery of the nation’s foundational documents — the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

“(He) really was a genius at researching and understanding,” Grattan Brown, the director of mission and ministry at the St. John Paul II National Shrine, told OSV News.

The message, reaffirmed in several ways, was that Americans are blessed to have the freedoms they have. And this merged with the pontiff’s promotion of human rights.

The shrine, through Sept. 9, has an exhibit dedicated to those papal messages to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Titled “A New Birth of Freedom,” the exhibit includes audio and video, photos and artifacts from his visits, including the future pope’s trip to America for its bicentennial in 1976. Two years later, Polish Cardinal Karol Wojtyla was elected the successor to Peter — on Oct. 16, 1978.

As pope, his visits to the U.S. were: 1979, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Des Moines and Washington; 1981, brief stopover in Anchorage, Alaska; 1984: brief stopover in Fairbanks, Alaska; 1987, Miami, Columbia, South Carolina, New Orleans, San Antonio, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Monterey, California, San Francisco and Detroit; 1993, World Youth Day in Denver; 1995, Newark and East Rutherford, New Jersey, New York and Baltimore; and 1999, St. Louis.

Some elements in the shrine’s exhibit were loaned by the archdioceses of Miami, Denver, St. Louis, Chicago and Philadelphia as well as Xavier University of Louisiana and The Catholic University of America. Brown curated the exhibit with contributions from Bethany Bromwell, collections curator, and Victoria Gallegos, curatorial assistant.

The pontiff’s eager embrace of American principles was obvious in his 1979 visit, when he celebrated a Mass, which drew 350,000, at Living History Farms in Urbandale, Iowa, simply because Joe Hayes, a farmer from nearby Truro, wrote him a letter inviting him to come to Iowa.

In April 1984, when St. John Paul accepted the credentials of William A. Wilson, the first U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, the pope referenced the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

“Certainly the recognition of God and the defense of human dignity, and therefore of human life, are a most precious part of your national heritage,” the pope said. “Your Declaration of Independence speaks to the whole world about the ‘Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God,’ and with great wisdom it recognizes inalienable rights for man. Your Constitution for its part sees the need to ‘establish justice … and secure the blessings of liberty.'”

Accepting Wilson’s credentials as ambassador was historic — it established full formal diplomatic relations between the U.S. and the Vatican.

In September 1987, he easily quoted Abraham Lincoln, citing “a new birth of freedom,” which is in Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. (The pope also invoked Lincoln’s address on Oct. 8, 1995, during his homily at Camden Yards in Baltimore.)

Arguing that freedom must be renewed by each generation, he addressed his 1987 remarks directly to President Ronald Reagan in Miami, saying, “A new birth of freedom is repeatedly necessary. Freedom to exercise responsibility and generosity, freedom to meet the challenge of serving humanity.”

Reagan welcomed the pope at Miami’s Vizcaya Museum, on Sept. 10, 1987, for the start of his U.S. tour. The two leaders discussed human freedom, democracy and Central American peace, according to the Reagan Library.

In his farewell address to the United States on the final day of his 1987 visit, the phrase “America the beautiful” echoed through his remarks as he challenged the country to defend human dignity, family values and the right to life.

“America the beautiful!” he said in Detroit on Sept. 19, 1987. “Yes, America you are beautiful indeed, and blessed in so many ways. … But your greatest beauty and your richest blessing is found in the human person: in each man, woman and child, in every immigrant, in every native-born son and daughter. … The ultimate test of your greatness in the way you treat every human being, but especially the weakest and most defenseless ones.”

“If you want equal justice for all, and true freedom and lasting peace, then, America, defend life!” he said.

Grattan encountered the pope three times, the first at World Youth Day in 1993 in Denver and the last time in 1997 in Rome when he was a theology student at the Pontifical Lateran University, and was able to introduce his mother, Elizabeth, after an early-morning Mass. The pontiff’s heavily accented “God bless your mother!” is a cherished memory.

He also warmly recalled being part of a group of aspiring seminarians addressed by St. John Paul II in 1995 at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, New York. To encourage them, he said, “I come to you as a friend in Christ and friends can talk about difficult things.”

SCRANTON – More than 30 new names have been inscribed in the Book of Remembrance ahead of the Diocese of Scranton’s annual Mass of Remembrance of Victims of Violent or Tragic Death, which will be held on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Scranton.

This Mass is offered for the families and friends of those who have died in tragedy, especially through murder, suicide, or accident.

The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, will serve as principal celebrant of the Mass.

While the official deadline to register a loved one’s name in the Book of Remembrance has now passed, names can still be added before the date of the Mass by calling the Diocesan Office for Parish Life at (570) 207-2213.

CTV: Catholic Television of the Diocese of Scranton will provide live coverage of the Mass of Remembrance. The Mass will also be livestream on the Diocese of Scranton website, YouTube channel and across all social media platforms.

SCRANTON – For more than a century, Catholics from throughout northeastern Pennsylvania and beyond have made their way to Saint Ann’s Basilica each July, bringing with them prayers of thanksgiving, petitions for healing and hope, and a deep devotion to the grandmother of Jesus Christ.

That tradition continues this week as the annual Solemn Novena to Saint Ann begins Friday, July 17, and continues through Sunday, July 26, the Feast of Saint Ann.

Thousands of pilgrims are expected to visit the Scranton Basilica during the ten-day celebration, participating in Masses, Novena devotions, opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and special liturgies that have made the annual Novena one of the Diocese of Scranton’s most beloved spiritual traditions.

This year’s Passionist preachers are Father Rick Frechette, C.P., a Passionist priest and physician whose ministry has served the people of Haiti for more than three decades, and Father Jack Conley, C.P., a longtime Passionist mission preacher and superior of Saint Vincent Strambi Retreat in Chicago.

Together, they will reflect on the 2026 Novena theme, “Reading the Signs of the Times,” exploring how faith speaks to many of today’s greatest challenges, including division, fear, loneliness, Christian witness, and the Real Presence of Jesus.

Along with the daily schedule of Masses and Novena services, several special celebrations are planned throughout the week.

On Tuesday, July 21, Bishop Kurt Burnette of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic will celebrate the Divine Liturgy of the Byzantine Rite at 6:30 p.m., offering pilgrims an opportunity to experience one of the Church’s beautiful Eastern liturgical traditions.

A Spanish-language Mass and Novena prayers will be celebrated Wednesday, July 22, at 5:15 p.m., welcoming the Diocese’s growing Hispanic Catholic community to participate in the Novena in their native language.

One of the most anticipated services each year is the Mass of the Anointing of the Sick on Thursday, July 23, at 1:30 p.m. The annual liturgy draws hundreds of pilgrims seeking the grace and strength offered through the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, while family members and caregivers often gather in prayer alongside them.

Families are especially invited to the Children’s Mass on Saturday, July 25, at 10:00 a.m., which includes a special blessing for children and grandparents. The annual celebration reflects Saint Ann’s enduring role as patroness of mothers, grandparents and families and has become a favorite tradition for many who attend the Novena.

The ten-day pilgrimage will conclude on the Feast of Saint Ann, Sunday, July 26, with Masses celebrated throughout the day. The Solemn Closing Mass at 6:30 p.m. will be celebrated by the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, and traditionally draws one of the largest gatherings of the annual Novena.

Confessions will be available before and after each Mass and Novena service throughout the ten days. Weather permitting, the 8:00 a.m., 11:45 a.m., and 6:30 p.m. Masses and Novena services will be celebrated outdoors.

Pilgrims are also invited to visit the parish food pavilion at the bottom of the hill for refreshments during the Novena.

Saint Ann’s Monastery and Basilica are located at 1239 Saint Ann Street in Scranton. All are invited and encouraged to participate in this year’s Solemn Novena.

SUGAR RIDGE – More than 170 years after Saint John Neumann walked through the hills of northeastern Pennsylvania to minister to small communities of Catholic settlers, the faithful continue making the journey to a church that preserves his remarkable legacy.

On July 12, 2026, faithful gathered at the Saint John Neumann Shrine in Sugar Ridge for the first of three summer Masses celebrated annually at the historic chapel, officially known as the Church of Saints Philip and James.

Designated as the Diocese of Scranton’s official Saint John Neumann Shrine in September 1977, the simple country church occupies the very site where the fourth Bishop of Philadelphia blessed the original church in July 1854.

“Saint John (Neumann) was known for many things. One was traveling,” Father Bert Kozen, Pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Dushore, said. “Whether by train, by coach, by horseback or by foot. As a matter of fact, he preferred foot because being five-foot-two, he found it difficult to ride a horse because his feet wouldn’t have reached the stirrups.”

According to local history, Bishop Neumann was visiting Catholics in Towanda when Katherine Leahy learned of his presence and walked several miles to ask him to visit the Irish Catholic families living near present-day Sugar Ridge.

True to his reputation as a tireless missionary, Bishop Neumann gladly made the journey on foot, celebrated the sacraments, blessed the land for a new church, and even assisted the local men as they began clearing timber for the original chapel.

“Another gift that Saint John Neumann had was the ability for languages. He spoke German, his native language, English, and he actually picked up Gaelic,” Father Kozen explained. “His Gaelic was so attuned, people thought he was one of them and he wasn’t.”

For parishioner John Lambert, praying in the area where a future saint once walked carries profound meaning.

“To walk the ground where someone who was raised to be a saint is pretty neat,” Lambert said. “To have it in your own backyard is something special.”

Lambert knows well the intricacies of the Shrine property. He says the church has no heat – which is why they choose to have select Masses in the summer. Even more interesting, while the church has electricity, there is only one outlet in the building.

Although he was a bishop for only eight years, the future-saint left his mark throughout the wide expanse which would later comprise the Diocese of Scranton. Bishop Neumann blessed corner stones; he confirmed; he heard confessions; he baptized children; and he placed his signature on many parish ledgers.

The faithful say he left a spiritual legacy that is significant even today.

“He lived in times similar to today, troubled times,” Lambert explained. “The people he ministered to here were not well liked. It was the time of the ‘know-nothings’ and church burnings in Philadelphia. We were looked down on. We were the ‘dirty Irish.’ But he came. And he wasn’t Irish.”

Patrick Cullen’s connection is even more personal.

His great-great-great grandmother, Katherine Leahy, was the women who invited Bishop Neumann to Sugar Ridge.

“He was good enough to come out this way, give the sacraments, bless the land and clear a spot for the first church,” Cullen said. “I think it’s a great example of living your faith.”

The remaining summer Masses at the Saint John Neumann Shrine will be celebrated on Sunday, Aug. 2, and Sunday, Sept. 6, at 2:30 p.m. The September liturgy will include a Healing Mass followed by a parish picnic hosted by the Knights of Columbus.

STEUBENVILLE – More than 150 young people, clergy, and chaperones from parishes across the Diocese of Scranton spent the weekend of July 10-12, 2026, discovering they are far from alone in living their Catholic faith.

A Diocesan delegation of 155 pilgrims – including 113 youth, 35 chaperones, one deacon and six priests – traveled by bus to the Steubenville Youth Conference at Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio.

Through engaging speakers, Eucharistic Adoration, worship, music, and the Sacraments, the students joined thousands of other young Catholics from across the country for a weekend centered on growing closer to Christ.

For many, including 18-year-old Hannah Rocco of Saint Eulalia Parish in Roaring Brook Township, it was their first experience at the nationally recognized conference.

“I’m super excited,” Rocco said before departing. “I’m excited to meet people from other parishes. I’m hoping for good Adoration and prayer time, but mostly the connection.”

That desire for connection was echoed by brothers Michael and Ayden Biagi, who participate in the life of Saint John Paul II Parish in Dunmore.

“I’m looking forward to growing in my faith,” Michael said. “I think it’s going to bring a whole lot of people together that are all the same age and show us that it’s okay to not be like the rest of the flock and follow what the world wants and instead follow what God wants us to follow.”

His younger brother, Ayden, looked forward to meeting other Catholic teenagers who openly share their faith.

“I’ve never done an experience like this,” he said. “I’m excited that you can profess your faith and not be like – is this person going to judge me based on this.”

Father Thomas Dzwonczyk, Assistant Pastor of Saint John Paul II Parish, accompanied the Biagi brothers and several other young people from his newly consolidated parish, calling the conference an opportunity for them to deepen their faith while forming lasting friendships.

“For them to experience this and say it’s okay to be ‘on fire’ for Jesus, and then to bring that back here to the Diocese of Scranton, it’s going to be wonderful,” Father Dzwonczyk said. “I hope they realize there are people right here who are taking the faith seriously and want it to be a major part of their life.”

As they returned home, the pilgrims expressed their gratitude to the faithful of the Diocese of Scranton for their prayers and support of the Catholic Ministries Appeal which makes experiences like this possible.

WILKES-BARRE – For several hundred kids across the Wyoming Valley, this summer is about much more than just a break from school.

It is about discovering new places, making lifelong friendships, and learning new skills at the Wyoming Valley Catholic Youth Center in Wilkes-Barre.

The CYC has once again become a summer destination for many local families, with 209 children enrolled in this year’s summer camp program and another 30 youngsters already on a waiting list. The strong demand reflects both the popularity of the program and the vital role it plays in serving families throughout the community.

“We start getting calls in February hoping to reserve space for our camp,” CYC Executive Director Mark Soprano said. “It’s a very popular program.”

Operating from the day schools dismiss for summer until classes resume in the fall, the CYC provides families with dependable, full-day care while giving children experiences many might not otherwise have.

“It’s an easy transition for parents,” Soprano explained. “They don’t have to worry about where their kids are going in the summer.”

For many working families, particularly those facing economic challenges, that consistency provides welcome peace of mind. As the school year ends, children simply transition from the CYC’s before- and after-school programs into its summer program, where every day brings something new.

Rather than repeating the same routine, the CYC fills each week with themed activities, guest presenters and field trips that combine recreation with education.

Campers spend time playing sports, swimming, visiting local parks and even tending the facility’s growing garden.

Throughout the summer, the kids will travel to places like the Electric City Aquarium, Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour, Hillside Farms, Frances Slocum State Park, Kirby Park and even the Pennsylvania State Capitol.

“We try to make it interesting for the kids, that they’re not doing the same thing day after day,” Soprano said. “We want to make it as interesting and fun as possible for the kids but also educate them a little bit about the area and different things around.”

One recent conversation Soprano had with campers reinforced why all the opportunities matter.

“When I was picking the kids up on one of the last days of school, I asked them, ‘What are you doing this summer?’” Soprano recalled. “The only activity I got from the kids was, ‘I’m going to my cousin’s swimming pool.’ That struck me. These kids aren’t going to be doing anything, and they’ll be spending a majority of their summer with us here at the CYC.”

For Victoria Ortiz, who will enter fifth grade this fall, that’s exactly what makes the CYC summer program special.

“It’s fun,” she said. “We do multiple activities. We go to the park. We go swimming. We do fun activities.”

Ortiz had just participated in a reptile presentation from a local business where she got to touch various snakes and even an alligator.

“I got scared for the alligator because it looked scary and it was big,” she added.

Jasper Gomez Colon, who is entering sixth grade, likes the CYC summer program because it gives him the chance to stay active and spend time with friends.

“Every time we come to the gym in the morning, I play basketball,” he said. “Every time I play with my friends, I’m getting better. We get to swim too. It’s really fun.”

While children enjoy the activities, staff members recognize that the greatest impact often goes far beyond games and field trips.

For nearly eight years, Dontaye Dutchin has worked at the CYC, wearing many hats while mentoring the children entrusted to the program.

“It’s the kids,” Dutchin said. “Every day there is something new. I feel like there is a purpose here. When I come in in the morning, everyone is like, ‘Mr. Dontaye!’ They fulfill me. The kids get their hooks in you and it’s impossible to walk away from them.”

Dutchin says many of the children simply need someone willing to listen and care.

“These kids have a lot of tough stories,” he said. “Whenever anyone has a tough weekend or a tough day, I say, ‘Let me hear about it.’ A lot of them don’t have anybody else.”

As Dutchin finished sharing that thought, one of the campers quietly walked up behind him and wrapped both arms around him in an unexpected hug.

That spontaneous gesture captured the importance of the CYC without words – highlighting the Wilkes-Barre facility is a place where children find not only a fun-filled summer, but caring adults who remind them they are valued and supported.

WILKES-BARRE – For many students, summer can mean taking a break from books.

Staff members at the Wyoming Valley Catholic Youth Center don’t want that to be the case this year – and are working to build a lifelong love of reading with their youngsters.

This summer, a number of children participating in the CYC’s summer camp program are taking part in a special literacy initiative designed to keep young minds engaged.

“This past school year, we partnered with the McGlynn Center for a tutoring program for our children which is very needed. To piggyback on that, we’re doing a summer reading challenge,” CYC Executive Director Mark Soprano said. “They have 55 children there. We’re selecting 55 children here at the CYC and we will see which group of kids reads more.”

Through a partnership with United Way, the CYC has several thousand books available, and students are allowed to bring them home and even keep them if desired.

“We’re encouraging parents to read with their children in the evenings and on the weekend. We want them to make it a habit of reading,” Soprano added. “We know that when kids leave school in the springtime, especially reading, regresses a little bit. We don’t want that to happen with our children.”

For many campers, reading has become one of the highlights of the day.

“I like to read chapter books, and I like to read princess books,” Lola Williamson, who will enter second grade this fall. “When you read, you get to learn about things.”

Her favorite? Sleeping Beauty.

Williamson says keeping up with reading during the summer has its rewards when school begins again.

“I like to do it because I get good grades, sometimes 90s and 100s,” she added.

Fellow camper Gianna Ranieli, who is also entering second grade, enjoys discovering new stories through books.

“I practice in the summer with my dad. I read really hard words and try to pronounce them,” Ranieli said. “It’s very fun to read. I love reading.”

When the summer reading challenge ends at the end of July, the CYC is planning to hold a pizza party with prizes and awards for participants.

“We’re looking forward to a celebration and really rewarding the kids, whether they read one page or 100 books, for their accomplishments this summer,” Soprano said.

DORRANCE TOWNSHIP – Approximately 100 golfers took to the fairways of Blue Ridge Trail Golf Club on July 10, 2026, for the annual Vocations Golf Classic – John Yourishen Memorial Tournament – enjoying a day of friendly competition while investing in the future priests of the Diocese of Scranton.

The tournament raises funds to support the education and formation of the Diocese’s seminarians, along with other vocation initiatives including Quo Vadis and Fiat Days and the newly established Saint Pius X Seminary in Scranton.

Just as importantly, the golf tournament gives supporters the opportunity to spend time with the seminarians, priests, and Diocesan staff.

“We are blessed in the Diocese of Scranton to have 16 seminarians right now. That is one of the highest numbers that we’ve had in years,” Father Ryan Glenn, Director of Vocations, said. “It is a reality that there is a significant financial cost.”

Father Alex Roche, Diocesan Secretary for Clergy Formation and Director of Seminarians, said the tournament benefits both those preparing for the priesthood and the faithful who make their formation possible.

“It’s good for them (seminarians) to see and meet the people who are supporting their education and formation,” Father Roche said. “But it’s also good for the supporters to meet the men that someday might be assigned to their parish.”

Many golfers return year after year because of that unique opportunity.

“I’ve been playing in this tournament for the last ten years,” Don Prescavage of Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Plains, said. “It is a big commitment to be a priest.

We just had one of our parishioners commit to becoming a seminarian, so the tournament means even more to me this year.”

Jordan McAndrew of Saint John Paul II Parish in Dunmore also said this year’s tournament carried special meaning as two of his friends prepare to enter the seminary.

“Everyone here is extremely excited about being able to support the Diocese and support the seminarians who are going to be part of our parishes within the next couple years,” McAndrew said. “There is a huge sense of community, a huge sense of involvement and a lot of pride in our Diocese today.”

For the seminarians in attendance, the golf tournament served as a visible reminder that vocations are nurtured by the entire Church.

“It’s wonderful to see so many people supporting vocations,” seminarian Matthew Kelly said. “This is a great time to connect with each other.”

“It means a lot to me. It’s good to see that there is a lot of support for us and to know that so many people around the Diocese are willing and able to support us,” seminarian Liam Barry added.

A complete listing of tournament sponsors will appear in the Aug. 20, 2026, edition of The Catholic Light.

To support vocations or the Saint Pius X Seminary, contact 570-207-2250 or email development@dioceseofscranton.org.

 

SCRANTON – For many Catholic teenagers, living their faith can sometimes feel like a lonely experience.

As they navigate school, sports, and peer groups, they may wonder if anyone else their age shares a love for Jesus Christ and the Church.

For 53 high school students from across the Diocese of Scranton, Quo Vadis and Fiat Days offered a reassuring answer this summer: You are not alone.

Held June 29 – July 1, 2026, at Marywood University, the Diocese’s annual vocation camps brought together 34 young men for Quo Vadis Days and 19 young women for Fiat Days to pray, build friendships and reflect on how God may be calling them to serve Him.

Through daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, talks, games, small-group discussions and time with priests, seminarians and religious sisters, participants were invited to listen more closely for God’s voice while discovering a community of young Catholics striving to do the same.

“It feels great because, number one, I’m not alone out there,” Jake Sanchez of Saint Matthew Parish in East Stroudsburg, said. “I have other people to share my thoughts and ideas with. It’s nice to know that there are other people with a strong faith in God.”

Sanchez attended Quo Vadis Days for the second consecutive year. He said returning for a second summer was an easy decision.

“Everything about it, the experience, making friends, Mass, everything about it is amazing. I think everyone should try it out, even if they think they won’t like it, you never know until you try it,” Sanchez said.

Throughout the three-day experience, students learned about the many vocations within the Church, including marriage, priesthood, diaconate, and religious life, while also reflecting on how God is calling them to holiness today.

For Eddie Scavone of Our Lady of the Snows Parish in Clarks Summit, one of the most meaningful moments was Eucharistic Adoration.

“I really enjoy the Holy Hour,” he said. “It’s really nice to just sit in the Chapel during Adoration and enjoy the presence of God and have confessions at the same time.”

Still discerning what his future holds, Scavone said the camp has helped him approach that process with greater confidence.

“They’re definitely giving me good tips and ideas for how to correctly discern what God is calling me to do,” he added.

For the young women attending Fiat Days, the opportunity to spend time with religious sisters offered a unique perspective on vocational discernment.

Emily Lopez of Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Scranton returned for her third year because she says each experience has drawn her closer to Christ.

“I think I look forward to it because the connection I feel each year toward God gets deeper,” Lopez explained. “I just learn more. I learn how to connect with Jesus and learn more about the Holy Spirit. It’s really nice and you feel peaceful.”

Lopez said one of the greatest blessings of Fiat Days is realizing there are many other teenagers striving to grow in faith.

“When you feel like you’re alone, it’s hard because you think you’re the only teenager who believes in God,” she said. “But when you surround yourself with people who are just like you and are also sinners but at the same time trying to get closer to God, it feels more relieving. You realize, ‘I’m not the only one.’”

First-time participant Emily Barrett from Saint Carlo Acutis Parish in Olyphant echoed that sentiment.

“I think it’s pretty awesome to spend time with other girls my age who share the same faith,” Barrett said. “It’s good to talk to them and get excited about it and just have fun with it.”

She described the opening Mass of Fiat Days as one of the highlights of the camp.

“I just felt like that was the closest I’ve felt to God in a while,” she said. “I go to church often, but I really felt something different that time.”

SCRANTON – Dozens of high school students who spent time discerning their vocation during the Diocese of Scranton’s annual Quo Vadis and Fiat Days summer camp this summer were given a firsthand glimpse of what answering the call to the Priesthood can look like.

During a Mass celebrated by the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, on June 30, 2026, at Marywood University, Diocesan seminarian Roberto Carlos Acevedo Ruiz took part in the Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Holy Orders, a significant milestone in his journey toward the priesthood.

Acevedo Ruiz, whose home parish is Saint Pius of Pietrelcina in Hazleton and who studies at Pope Saint John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Mass., was presented to Bishop Bambera by Father Alex J. Roche, Diocesan Secretary for Clergy Formation, Rector of Saint Pius X Seminary, and Director of Seminarians.

After being called forward by name, Acevedo Ruiz stood before the Bishop and publicly affirmed his willingness to continue preparing for priestly ministry, responding, “I do,” as Bishop Bambera questioned him during the Rite.

Drawing from the day’s Gospel from Saint Matthew, in which Jesus calms the storm at sea, Bishop Bambera explained to those attending that they never face life’s challenges alone.

“No matter how harsh the winds and the waves of the storm that envelop you, Jesus walks with you. Jesus is with you in the midst of your struggles,” Bishop Bambera said.

Addressing Acevedo Ruiz directly, the Bishop encouraged him to place complete trust in the Lord as he continues discerning his vocation.

“Roberto, trust Him, trust Him, for He will never let you go,” Bishop Bambera added.

The Bishop explained that the Rite of Admission to Candidacy marks the Church’s formal recognition that a seminarian has demonstrated the qualities necessary to continue preparing for ordained ministry. At the same time, he said, the Rite challenges the candidate to deepen his relationship with Christ and strengthen his commitment to serving God’s people.

“Open your heart, Roberto, to the Lord’s call to serve the Church,” Bishop Bambera said. “Trust today like never before in His grace and mercy.”

Following the Mass, Acevedo Ruiz described the celebration as a profound moment in his vocational journey.

“I am very happy because responding to God’s call to the priesthood is a profoundly transformative experience,” he said. “I have discovered my life’s purpose and desire to dedicate myself to God and to serve others.”

Calling the Rite of Candidacy a “huge step,” he said he believes God continues to shape his heart for priestly ministry.

“God is forming within me what He has done with me, how He has called me and all the beautiful new things He has done in my life,” Acevedo Ruiz said.

He also expressed gratitude to those who have accompanied him throughout his discernment.

“I give thanks to God for my family, who support me, for the communities in the different parishes where I serve, for their prayers, for my Bishop, and for the guidance of Father Alex, who has been a great blessing in my life,” he said.