Diocese welcomes two new seminarians

The “Welcome Mass” for our new seminarians is always such a special event for our Diocese. This Mass is held at a different parish each year, and it helps us to welcome the men who will begin their journeys in the seminary. We are blessed to have two new men begin their formation with us this year: Nicholas Esposito and Jacob Simila. They will begin their journey at St. Andrew’s College Seminary at Seton Hall University. 

We celebrate this “Welcome Mass” for the new men, for our returning seminarians and for all of their families. It is a great reminder that they are not alone in their journeys, as the prayers and intentions of their families and friends will be a constant source of support. It is also an encouragement to the parishes to continue praying for vocations and encouraging men to pray about the priesthood. We pray their witness and courage will inspire others to be open to God’s will so that one day they will be the new seminarians at a future “Welcome Mass.” 

Many great memories come back to me each time we celebrate this special Mass. I remember the nervousness of being introduced to Bishop Galante and then meeting my new seminarian brothers. Those first days were very overwhelming. Over time, thanks to the great amount of prayers and support from my family and parish, I began to see the great love and fraternity that was shared here in our Diocese. It was this love and fraternity that helped me grow into the man that God was calling me to become. This group effort helped me to discern and hear that call to be God’s priest, and to say “Yes!” with my heart and soul. 

I pray our new men will feel that same love and see the gift of our fraternity and how it will help them to embrace the call they have received from God. We are blessed to have such wonderful support from Bishop Sullivan and all of the priests in our Diocese. We continue to see the fruit that the culture of vocations in our Diocese has produced. We depend on the prayers of the people of Camden, and that they, too, will look to the men in their families and communities and encourage them to listen to the voice of God. 

We thank Nicholas and Jacob for their “Yes!” to God. We pray for them and their brother seminarians as they begin the new academic year. We join their families and friends in supporting them, and helping them along in the ups and downs of their journeys. We also look forward to the future, knowing that God still calls so many to serve him as His priests. We pray that they will have the courage and strength to respond with a generous and open heart so that we can welcome more men into this great vocation. 

Father Adam Cichoski is diocesan director of vocations.