Posted May 23, 2023

Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez ordained seven men to the Priesthood for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on Saturday, May 20 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.

Those newly ordained priests include Reverend Mr. Anthony J. Albanese; Reverend Mr. Shane M. Flanagan; Reverend Mr. Randall J. Kraft; Reverend Mr. Phong T. Le; Reverend Mr. John C. Okpara; Reverend Mr. Kenneth I. Omeke; and Reverend Mr. Wesly L. Taveras. Get to know each of the men and their faith journeys that led them to priesthood here. (Photos: Sarah Webb)

  • Election of the Candidates- Kenneth Omeke and John Okpara

  • Promise of the Elect- Shane Flanagan

  • Litany of Supplication- Fathers Phong Le and Randall Kraft

  • Litany of Supplicaiton- Father Kenneth Omeke

  • Laying of Hands- Father Anthony Albanese

  • Laying of Hands- Father Shane Flanagan

  • Laying of Hands- Father Randall Kraft

  • Laying of Hands- Father Phong Le

  • Laying of Hands- Father John Okpara

  • Laying of Hands- Father Kenneth Omeke

  • Laying of Hands- Father Wesley Taveras Medina

  • Father Patrick Welsh lays hands on Father Randall Kraft

  • Father Sean English lays hands on Kenneth Omeke

  • Father John Collins lays hands on Father Anthony Albanese

  • Father Javier Santaballa, rector of Mater Redemptoris Seminary, lays hands on Father Wesley Taveras Medina

  • Laying of Hands- Msgr. John Conway on Father John Okpara, Msgr. Joseph Trinh on Father Phong Le

  • Father Michael Gerlach, pastor SS. Simon and Jude, helps Father Anthony Albanese vest

  • Father Mariano Dellagiovanna (vice rector of Mater Redemptoris Seminary) helps Father Wesley Taveras Medina vest

  • Fathers Shane Flanagan and Anthony Albanese

  • Anointing of Hands- Father Randall Kraft

  • Handing Over of the Bread and Wine- Father Wesley Taveras Medina

  • Fraternal Kiss- Father Phong Le

  • Father Anthony Albanese concelebrates mass for the first time

  • Father Wesley Taveras Medina gives communion to his mother, Rosa, and father, Josè

  • Litany of Supplication

  • Prayer of Ordination

  • Fathers Flanagan, Albanese, Le, Kraft, Omeke, Okpara and Taveras Medina offer a blessing to the congregation May 20. (Photo: Sarah Webb)

  • Flanagan, Albanese, Le, Kraft, Omeke, Taveras Medina and Okpara

  • Fathers Kenneth Ifeanyi Omeke, Wesley Taveras Medina and John Chidiebube Okpara joyfully recess

  • Father Phong Le is all smiles as he recesses

  • Father Louis Bellopede looks on at newly ordained Father Randall Kraft receives his assignment to his parish St Agnes in West Chester, Chester County

  • Newly ordained Father Le finds out his assignment at St Cecilia in the Fox Chase section of Northeast Philadelphia as his new pastor, Father Chris Walsh joyful looks on

  • Father Shane Flanagan offers a first blessing to Archbishop Nelson Pèrez

  • Archbishop Nelson Pèrez kisses the hands of newly ordained Father Wesley Taveras Medina

  • Top- Fathers Anthony Albanese, Phong Thanh Le, Wesley Taveras Medina, Randall Kraft, Shane Flanagan, John Chidiebube Okpara, Kenneth Ifeanyi Omeke Bottom- Father Javier Santaballa, Bishop Timothy Senior, Archbishop Nelson Pèrez, Father Keith Chylinski

  • Top- Fathers Wesley Taveras Medina, Randall Kraft, Shane Flanagan Bottom- Father Phong Le, Father Anthony Albanese, Archbishop Nelson Pèrez, Father Kenneth Ifeanyi Omeke, Father John Chidiebube Okpara

  • Father Randall Kraft offers a first blessing to Father Keith Chylinski, rector of the Seminary