HAZLETON – The church where Rev. Jose Luis Batista Castillo, O.S.J., first encountered the spirituality that shaped his vocation became the place where that calling reached its fulfillment on July 1, 2026.
Before a standing-room only crowd at Saint Gabriel Church in Hazleton, the principal worship site of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina Parish, the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, ordained Batista to the priesthood for the Oblates of Saint Joseph.
The Ordination Mass carried special significance for the newly ordained priest, whose family immigrated to Hazleton from the Dominican Republic during his childhood. It was while the former Annunciation Parish was under the pastoral care of the Oblates of Saint Joseph that he first came to know the religious community and began discerning God’s call.
“Today I became more conformed to Christ, for the glory of the Lord and also for the service of His people,” Father Jose said following the Ordination Mass.
He explained that his vocation grew through prayer and a growing desire to give his life in service to God and the Church.
“I really wanted to give myself to God and the people. As I was praying and discerning in my life, I received the call to the priesthood. At first, it was a shock to me. But then, little by little, the Lord let me know He wanted me to give myself to Him,” he said.
The Ordination Mass included the ancient rites of the Church, including the Litany of the Saints, the Prayer of Ordination, the laying on of hands by Bishop Bambera and the concelebrating priests, and the anointing of the new priest’s hands with Sacred Chrism.
Reflecting on the Litany of the Saints, during which he lay prostrate before the altar, Father Jose described it as a moment of complete surrender.
“For me, that was a beautiful moment of just giving myself to the Lord and letting Him do the rest,” he said. “I asked for the intercession of all the saints to help me be open to the grace of God.”
One of the most emotional moments came at the conclusion of the Mass, when the newly ordained priest imparted his first priestly blessing on his parents.
“I’ve been in the seminary for a long time, almost 11 years now, and they were always asking ‘When are you going to be ordained,’” Father Jose explained. “For them to have the opportunity to witness my ordination, it was a very touching moment for me and also for them. When we are kids, our parents are the one who bless us and now I’m the one blessing my parents!”
Father Jose said he left the Ordination Mass with profound gratitude.
“I feel welcomed by God, by the Church and by His people,” he said. “Tonight I’m very grateful to God, and to the Bishop, and to all the people who made it possible for this to happen.”
On the evening following the Ordination, a Mass was Thanksgiving was celebrated in the Oblates of Saint Joseph Chapel in Laflin. Rev. Matthew Spencer, O.S.J., former provincial superior, who is currently serving at a parish in California, served as homilist for that Mass.