Posted June 23, 2020

Five men from diverse backgrounds became new priests of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia June 20 during a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Perez. It was the first group of priests he ordained since his installation as Archbishop of Philadelphia last February. Read all about the ordination ceremony and hear comments of the family and friends of the new priests, here. (Photos by Sarah Webb)

  • Calling of the men: Louis Monica

  • Promise of the Elect: Wilmer Chirino Gonzalez

  • Laying of hands: Kevin Okafor

  • Laying of hands: Cesar J. Izaguirre

  • Father Stephen Leva lays hands on newly ordained Father Louis Monica.

  • Father Javier Santaballa lays hands on Wilmer Chirino Gonzalez.

  • Father Bernard Taglianetti lays hands on his nephew and newly ordained Father August Taglianetti.

  • Father John Donia helps Father Louis Monica put on priestly vestments for the first time.

  • Msgr. Michael Picard congratulates Father Kevin Okafor after helping him vest for the first time.

  • Archbishop Nelson Perez anoints the hands of Father Kevin Okafor with chrism.

  • Archbishop Nelson Perez presents the paten and chalice to Father August Taglianetti.

  • Newly ordained Fathers August Taglianetti, Kevin Okafor, Wilmer Chirino Gonzalez, Cesar J. Izaguirre and Louis Monica stand before Archbishop Perez.

  • Archbishop Nelson Perez offers a fraternal greeting to Father Wilmer Chirino Gonzalez.

  • Father August Taglianetti gives holy Communion to his father Thomas during the ordination Mass.

  • Father Cesar J. Izaguirre offers holy Communion for the first time as a priest.

  • Fathers August Taglianetti, Kevin Okafor, Louis Monica, Cesar J. Izaguirre and Wilmer Chirino Gonzalez offer their first blessing as priests.

  • Newly ordained Father Louis Monica offers a first blessing to his father Louis Monica Sr.

  • (Clockwise from left) Fathers Louis Monica, Cesar J. Izaguirre, Kevin Okafor, Wilmer Chirino Gonzalez and August Taglianetti pose for a picture with Archbishop Nelson Perez.