Profile
Seminarian Follows God’s Lead to Philadelphia and the Priesthood
Wesly Taveras Medina became an altar server during his teenage years, and “seeing the witness of my pastors in my parish, seeing them giving their lives for the parish, that showed me a life completely different from what the world offers,” he says.
Businessman Goes from Searching for Goods to Searching for Souls
As a boy, Kenneth Omeke “loved playing soccer” and also enjoyed being an altar server. “I loved serving Mass,” he says. That’s when his interest in the priesthood first began.
Parents’ Marital Love and Personal Healing lead to the Priesthood
As a young boy, John Okpara played soccer and was an altar server. At age 14, he joined the Legion of Mary, which "drew me closer to the altar, where I discovered my vocation," he said.
Pharmacist Leaves the American Dream for Life in the Priesthood
Le’s first visit to St. Charles Seminary was in 2012 with his pastor. Le says at first, he didn’t think seminary life was for him. After continuing to pray and discern, he finally made the decision to leave his pharmacy career and enter St. Charles in 2016.
Deacon Finds Peace and Joy in Following God’s Lead
Randy Kraft felt hesitant about serving at his first Easter Vigil Mass about a decade ago. Yet it was at this Mass he remembers feeling "such a sense of peace, a sense of joy, and a clarity I never experienced before."
College Path Changes from Physical Therapy to the Priesthood
Shane Flanagan’s first visit to St. Charles Seminary was attending a 40 Hours devotion. He says he was “struck by a sense of peace and calm,” and that “the feeling of being unsettled” in his heart was gone.
‘A Yearning for Learning’ Leads Spanish Teacher to the Priesthood
Anthony Albanese was a 25-year-old Spanish teacher at a middle school in Bensalem. One day in class, he found himself wondering, “What do these students in my classroom really need? Do they need me as a Spanish teacher, or do they need me as a priest?”
Catholic school principal ‘shows what’s possible’ for those with disabilities
Once a struggling student, Jayda Pugliese of St. Mary Interparochial School drew on her faith to battle hearing loss -- and returned to lead her alma mater, while gaining international recognition for her work.
Faith guides college president on mission for students, Ukraine and the world
Dr. Jonathan Peri, the first lay leader of Manor College, is working to make his school "a voice for contemporary Catholicism and Christian goodness," especially amid Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine.
As 1st Haitian priest in Phila., seminarian to carry on a legacy
Roneld St. Louis speaks six languages, sings baritone and is an instructor-level dancer. After he's ordained a priest this May he hopes to focus on strengthening families, buoyed by his devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.