Seminarians Steven Bernasconi and Jacob Reed were admitted to candidacy for Holy Orders during a Mass celebrated by Bishop Joe S. Vásquez on July 25, the Feast of St. James, at the Cathedral of the Immacualte Conception in Tyler.
Admission to candidacy is an important step for each seminarian as he journeys toward the priesthood. It is an opportunity for the seminarian to publicly express his intention to receive the sacrament of holy order.
According to the Church’s ritual book for the celebration, “The Rite of Admission is celebrated when it has been established that the intention of those aspiring to Holy Orders is supported by the necessary qualifications and has achieved sufficient maturity. The intention of receiving Holy Orders is to be expressed publicly by the aspirants. The Bishop…publicly accepts the aspirant’s intention.”
Bernasconi comes to the diocese from Florida. After journeying away from the Church for a short time, he returned to the sacraments and experienced God’s love and mercy in a life-changing way, leading him to discern a call to the priesthood. Bernasconi is entering his first year of theology at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans.
Reed is originally from Houston and Austin and moved the Nacogdoches to work as a FOCUS Missionary at the Catholic campus ministry at Stephen F. Austin State University. While serving as a missionary, Reed discerned a call to the priesthood. Reed is beginning his first year of theology at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis.
Following the Mass and Rite of Admission, the diocesan Development Office hosted a “Seminarian Send Off” and reception. This annual event provides an opportunity people throughout the diocese of meet our seminarians and visit with their families before the men return to classes.
Bernasconi and Reed are among the 17 seminarians for the diocese, including four new seminarians accepted for the 2024-25 academic year.
For pictures from this event visit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dioceseoftyler/albums/72177720319147472
