A Historic Milestone: Bishop Raica to Ordain Three New Priests for the Diocese of Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - In a historic milestone for North Alabama's Catholic community, Bishop Steven J. Raica will ordain three men to the priesthood tomorrow, Saturday, May 30, at 11:00 AM.

The Solemn Mass of Ordination will take place at the Cathedral of Saint Paul in downtown Birmingham, marking the largest single-year ordination class for the Catholic Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama in nearly two decades.

Deacons John Gardiner, John Paul Stepnowski, and Andrew Vickery will receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders, answering a lifelong call to ministry that local Church leadership highlights as a powerful sign of hope and growth for the region.

A Generational Influx of Vocations

The upcoming ordination represents a major breakthrough for the diocese. According to diocesan records, this is the first time in nearly 20 years that the Birmingham diocese has ordained more than two priests in a single year. The three ordinands come highly prepared for their upcoming pastoral duties. Deacons Stepnowski and Vickery recently graduated from the School of Theology at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. Both men earned a Master of Divinity, a Bachelor of Sacred Theology, and a Hispanic Ministry Field Education Certificate, equipping them to serve the diverse and rapidly growing demographic of Catholics across North Alabama. Deacon Gardiner completed his final preparations this spring, including taking his formal Oath of Fidelity in March.

The Rite of Holy Orders

Tomorrow's liturgy at the Cathedral of Saint Paul will feature centuries-old traditions of the Catholic Church. During the Mass, Bishop Raica will engage in the Laying on of Hands-the central structural gesture of ordination signaling the invocation of the Holy Spirit. The men will also lie prostrate before the altar during the Litany of Saints, vow obedience to the Bishop and his successors, and have their hands anointed with Holy Chrism. Following the ceremony, the newly ordained fathers will receive their initial clergy assignments to serve parishes across the diocese's 39-county territory.

How to Attend and Watch

The Diocese of Birmingham has extended a public invitation to all the faithful to attend this historic celebration in person. For those unable to travel to the cathedral, a live video broadcast will be made available online:

Location: Cathedral of Saint Paul, Birmingham, AL

Time: Saturday, May 30, at 11:00 AM

CDTVirtual Stream: Available on the Cathedral of Saint Paul Livestream Page via Facebook Live and YouTube.

As the three deacons transition to a life of priestly ministry, the Diocese of Birmingham Vocations Office continues to call upon parishioners to pray for the ordinands, their families, and the long-term spiritual fruit of their service to the Church in Alabama.