CHARLOTTE — For the first time in its 44-year history, the Diocese of Charlotte has 24 men in formation in three seminaries. A contributing factor to the record number of seminarians this year has been the establishment of a minor seminary in Charlotte, St. Joseph’s College Seminary.
The new college seminary is for undergraduate men discerning a vocation to the priesthood, one step before enrolling in a major seminary for more specific priestly formation. Enrolled in the diocese’s seminarian program, the men will work toward a bachelor’s degree in philosophy at Belmont Abbey College. There are eight men currently enrolled in the college seminary, living in a refurbished building on the campus of St. Ann Church in Charlotte.
The diocese also has 13 men currently studying at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. They are in the advanced stages of priestly formation, ranging from pre-theology to major theology.
Four of the men are ordained transitional deacons and are scheduled to be ordained to the priesthood in late June 2017. They include: Deacon Matthew Bean, Deacon Brian Becker, Deacon Christopher Bond and Deacon Christian Cook.
The Pontifical North American College in Rome is home to three of the diocese’s seminarians who are engaged in major theology studies. One of them, Peter Ascik, is scheduled to be ordained to the transitional diaconate in late September in Rome. He is expected to be ordained to the priesthood at St. Mark Church in Huntersville in late June along with the four others now at the Josephinum.
“It’s a remarkable blessing to see so many young men respond to our Lord’s invitation to discern the priesthood,” said Father Christopher Gober, diocesan vocations director. “The prayers and sacrifices of the people in the Diocese of Charlotte are bearing fruit before our eyes.”
A new poster and prayer cards featuring the diocese’s seminarians will be distributed to all parishes in the near future.
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter
Pictured: One of the diocese’s newest seminarians is Edgar Moises Noveron Palacios, a parishioner at St. Philip the Apostle Church in Statesville and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Noveron and Rosa Maria Palacios. He began his seminary formation at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 21. Before he left, church members and pastor Father Thomas Kessler threw him a “farewell social,” organized by the parish’s Family Life Committee and the Spanish community. (Photo provided by Connie Ries)