The Archdiocese of Cincinnati is set to celebrate the ordination of seven new priests on Saturday, May 18, 2024. The ordination ceremony will take place at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains, located at 325 W. 8th St., Cincinnati OH, starting from 11 A.M.

The seven men will be ordained for service to God and the Church by Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr who will preside over the Mass. As part of the ordination rite, the archbishop will lay his hands on the men, invoking the authority given by Christ to the apostles to make new priests. The Mass will be live streamed on the Archdiocese of Cincinnati YouTube channel.

These seven new priests contribute to a growing trend observed over the last decade of increasing numbers of men being ordained as priests. This year's figure aligns with those from previous years: seven men were also ordained in 2023, 2021, 2016, 2009 and 2022. Since 2014, sixty men have been ordained as priests for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

The newly-ordained priests have served as transitional deacons for the past year during which their ministry included baptizing, assisting at marriages, and preaching at Mass. They graduated from Mount St. Mary’s Seminary and School of Theology on May 12 this year after undergoing at least seven years of formation for priesthood. Their parish assignments will be announced during the ordination ceremony.

The soon-to-be-ordained are Deacon Brice Berger, Deacon Adam Berning, Deacon John Grusenmeyer, Deacon Benjamin Mersch, Deacon Matthew Montag, Deacon Anthony Sanitato and Deacon Jeremy Stubbs.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati is currently ranked as the 51st largest Catholic diocese in America with approximately 435,000 Catholics. It also boasts the fifth largest Catholic school system in terms of enrollment with nearly 40,000 students. The diocese's 19-county territory includes 206 canonical parishes organized into 57 Families of Parishes, and 109 Catholic primary and secondary schools.

Jennifer Schack, Director of Media Relations for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, is available for further information.