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Cardinal Blase J. Cupich to Ordain Nine Priests for the Archdiocese of Chicago on Saturday, May 15, 2021 at Holy Name Cathedral

The new priests will begin their assignments on July 1, 2021

Chicago - (May 13, 2021) – Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, will ordain eight diocesan priests and one Canon Regular of St. John Cantius at 10 a.m., on Saturday, May 15, 2021 at Holy Name Cathedral, 735 North State St., Chicago. The newly ordained priests, ranging in age from 26 to 55, hail from the Archdiocese of Chicago, as well as California, Michigan, Virginia, Colombia, Mexico and Poland. The ordination will be livestreamed on the archdiocese’s YouTube channel https://youtu.be/syVR1-zqlgI.

“I warmly welcome these nine men into a ministry that heals, strengthens and guides Christ’s love to His people,” said Cardinal Cupich. “Priests are often on the front lines of their parishes offering indispensable aid, spiritual guidance, fellowship and advocating for the underserved often during challenging times especially as of late. I keep them in my prayers as they begin their new and fruitful journeys.”  

Men become priests through the Sacrament of Holy Orders, a celebration rich in symbolism and tradition. By ordination, priests receive a wide variety of responsibilities, particularly celebrating the Mass and granting forgiveness of sins through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Priests also preach the Gospel, and celebrate the Sacraments of Baptism, Matrimony, and Anointing of the Sick. Diocesan priests make promises of life-long celibacy, prayer for the People of God, and obedience to their bishop at their ordination. It is also expected that priests will lead a life of simplicity consistent with the people they serve.

Each newly ordained priest has completed at least six years of human, spiritual, academic and pastoral formation, which included an exhaustive study of philosophy, Catholic theology, the history of the Church, and pastoral practice. As part of their seminary education, future priests are assigned to work at parishes, schools, and hospitals as they develop their capacity to be shepherds of God’s people.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s ceremony will have limited attendance to observe local and state seating capacity restrictions. Attendees will observe social distancing guidelines and will wear masks during the Mass.

“That we are preparing to celebrate a scaled-back Ordination Mass for the second straight year only highlights the great need that continues among our people for the priestly service of these men,” said Very Reverend John Kartje, rector/president of the University of St Mary of the Lake / Mundelein Seminary. “They are well prepared, and I am grateful to God to have them ministering throughout the Archdiocese.”

ORDINANDI

Ryan Brady, 37, from Chicago, will have his first assignment at Our Lady of the Ridge and St. Linus Parish in Chicago Ridge and Oak Lawn respectively. He will celebrate his first Mass on Sunday, May 16 at 12:30 p.m. at Holy Name Cathedral.  

Nathan Ford, SJC, 27, from Coldwater, Mich., will have his first assignment at St. John Cantius Parish in Chicago. He will celebrate his first Mass on Sunday, May 16 at 12:30 p.m. at St. John Cantius, 825 N. Carpenter St., Chicago.         

Christopher Landfried, 55, from Fairfax, Va., will have his first assginment at St. Elizabeth of the Trinity in  Chicago. He will celebrate his first Mass on Sunday, May 16 at 1 p.m. at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, 1170 N. River Rd., Des Plaines.

Andrew Matijevic, 26, from Palatine, will have his first assginment at Holy Name Cathedral. He will celebrate this first Mass on Sunday, May 16 at 5 p.m. at St. Thomas of Villanova, 1201 E. Anderson Dr., Palatine.

Ritchie Ortiz-Juárez, 28, from San Jose, Calif., will have his first assignment at Santa Maria Del Popolo in Mundelein. He will celebrate his first Masses on Sunday, May 16 at 11 a.m. in English and 2:30 p.m. in Spanish at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 2735 S. Kolin Ave., Chicago.

Robert Ryan, 36, from Antioch, will have his first assignment at St. Joseph and St. Francis Xavier Parish in Wilmette. He will celebrate his first Mass on Sunday, May 16 at 1 p.m. at St. Theresa Parish, 455 N. Benton St., Palatine.

Leonel Sepulveda, 26, originally from San Francisco de Asis in the State of Jalisco, Mexico and immigrated to Thorton, Ill., with his family in high school, will have his first assginment at Our Lady of Mercy in Chicago. He will celebrate his first Mass on Saturday, May 15 at 6:30 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Parish, 15746 Union Ave., in Harvey.

Daniel Villalobos, 34, from Bogotá, Colombia, will have his first assignment at St. Michael Parish in Orland Park. He will celebrate his first Masses on May 16 at 9:30 a.m. in English at St. Emily Parish, 1400 E. Central Rd., Mt. Prospect, and in Spanish at 12:30 p.m. on the same day at St. Bede the Venerable Parish, 8200 S. Kostner Ave., Chicago.

Sebastian Żebrowski, 29, from Łuków, Province of Lublin, Poland, will have his first assignment at Immaculate Conception - Five Holy Martyrs Parish in Chicago. He will celebrate his first Mass on Saturday, May 15 at 5 p.m. at St. Norbert and Our Lady of the Brook Parish, 1809 Walters Ave., Northbrook.