Seminarians, religious will take next step in their discernment in June

As summer begins, schools end their academic year. Seminarians are home for the summer and ordinations and professions of faith are being planned. Such is the case in the Diocese of Corpus Christi.

The vocations celebration got underway on May 26 with a Mass of Candidacy at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Portland for Joshua Stephens, who graduated from the University of Dallas (Holy Trinity Seminary) in Irving, Texas.

The candidate submits a petition to the bishop, drawn up and signed in his own hand, requesting candidacy. After the Rite of Candidacy has been conferred the candidate can then formally continue his formation.

Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey announced that Stephens would be enrolled in the Pontifical North American College in September where he will continue his studies  for the priesthood.

On June 1, Bishop Mulvey will ordain David Bayardo and Freddy Villarreal to the transitional diaconate at Corpus Christi Cathedral beginning at 10 a.m. Transitional deacons are usually ordained to the diaconate after they complete their third year theological studies.

They are “transitional” because they are on the path between layman and priest. There is no difference in the sacramental sign or the functions between “transitional” and “permanent deacons.”

Bayardo is attending St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston and his home parish is Holy Family in Corpus Christi. After his ordination, Bayardo will serve as Parochial Deacon at St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Corpus Christi through Aug. 9.

Villarreal also is a seminarian at St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston and his home parish is Most Precious Blood in Corpus Christi. Bishop Mulvey has assigned him as Parochial Deacon at Holy Family in Corpus Christi, also until Aug. 9.

Bishop Mulvey will ordain Deacon Chris Becerra to the priesthood on Saturday, June 8, at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral. Deacon Becerra completed his formation at St. Mary’s seminary in Houston and hails from Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Corpus Christi. The new priest has been assigned to Sacred Heart in Mathis.

“If one has never participated in the ordination of a priest, I would highly recommend attending at least once,” Father Joseph Lopez, JCL Vocation Director for the Diocese of Corpus Christi, said.  “It is probably one of the most beautiful Masses one will ever experience.  Calling upon rituals that date back to several centuries in the life of the Church, it is a time of great joy and celebration on the part of the newly ordained priest, his family, friends and all those who have supported and encouraged him along the path of his vocation.”

On Friday, June 7, Sister María de los Ángeles Zepeda, PCI will make her Profession of Perpetual Vows at St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles Parish located at 3901 Violet Road in Corpus Christi. Bishop Mulvey will celebrate the Mass at 5 p.m.