Erik Zygmont

A journalist since 2005, Erik wrote for small-town publications in New Hampshire before he left for Germany, where he taught English for two years, starting in 2009. He moved to Baltimore and served as editor of the Baltimore Guide from 2012 to 2015. He then served as a staff writer for Catholic Review until August 2017 when his family moved to another state. He currently serves as a freelance contributor.

Erik is grateful for the richness of the Catholic faith he has experienced since, owing both to his access as a journalist and the Baltimore Archdiocese being the Premier See.

Mount de Sales Dominican sister shares journey after pursuing science, finding faith

June 9, 2025
By Erik Zygmont
Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Consecrated Life, Feature, Local News, News, Schools, Vocations

Sister Albertine has been teaching at Mount de Sales, which has been administered by the Dominicans since the 1980s, for four years. She teaches physics, chemistry and AP computer science, and she helps with the robotics team and the Ultimate Frisbee club.

Black Hawk helicopter pilot has passion for service and the skies

April 14, 2025
By Erik Zygmont
Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Schools

At 28 years old, Lia Paolucci has carved out a notable career as a detachment commander and helicopter pilot in the Maryland Army National Guard.

Brother to teacher to pastor: Father Franken’s long and varied vocation

July 1, 2024
By Erik Zygmont
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Retirement, Vocations

Father Franken, 75, who will retire as pastor of St. Joan of Arc in Aberdeen effective July 1, enjoyed his work with young people, but the call to the diocesan priesthood was strong.

From Karachi to the Baltimore Archdiocese: Deacon Andrades looks forward to a vocation of gratitude

June 17, 2024
By Erik Zygmont
Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, New Priests 2024, News, Vocations

Deacon Daniel Andrades looks forward to his ordination to the priesthood June 22 at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland as a gift that will be reciprocated.

Calvert Hall grad recovered stolen art, artifacts over two-decade career with the FBI

January 2, 2024
By Erik Zygmont
Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Feature, Local News, News

Robert Wittman, who grew up in Baltimore’s Hamilton neighborhood and received the sacraments at nearby St. Dominic Church and his grade school education at the former parish school, has recovered countless artifacts and pieces of art, including works by Rembrandt, Goya, Manet and Rodin.

Priest-to-be Sampson Onwumere keeps Nigerian ties strong, builds new ones to Baltimore

June 22, 2023
By Erik Zygmont
Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, New Priests 2023, News, Vocations

Deacon Sampson Onwumere, who will be ordained a priest of the Baltimore Archdiocese June 24 at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland, said he is most looking forward to the pastoral aspect of his vocation.

Heavy topics in a culture of inclusion: St. Mary’s O’Day instructs heads and hearts

August 25, 2022
By Erik Zygmont
Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Schools

Anna O’Day encourages her students at St. Mary’s in Annapolis to bring their deepest, most difficult questions, and she challenges them to tackle such inquiries with sincerity and rigor.

Monsignor Auer remembered as a steady, loving presence with a sense of fun

August 19, 2022
By Erik Zygmont
Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Obituaries

Monsignor John J. Auer died Aug. 14. He was 92.

‘All the desires of my heart’: Vocation to religious life fostered at St. Mary in Hagerstown

July 5, 2022
By Erik Zygmont
Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Consecrated Life, Feature, Local News, News, Vocations, Western Vicariate

Sister Isabelle Maina of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis of Penance, who professed her first vows June 21 at the Our Lady of Sorrows Monastery in Toronto, Ohio, says she began to feel the stirrings of her vocation as a youngster at St. Mary Catholic School in Hagerstown.

Faith was the constant in Deacon Ray’s long journey to priesthood

June 2, 2022
By Erik Zygmont
Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, New Priests 2022, News, Vocations

Deacon David C.F. Ray, who will be ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Baltimore June 18, does not have a “road to Damascus story” to describe his vocation to the priesthood.

Mount’s partnership with local provider to yield on-campus health care services

November 10, 2021
By Erik Zygmont
Catholic Review Filed Under: #IamCatholic, Colleges, Feature, Health Care, Local News, News

A partnership between Mount St. Mary’s University and Seminary and local health care provider Frederick Health will facilitate enhanced wellness services not only for Mount students, student-athletes, staff and seminarians, but also for residents of northern Frederick County, said William Davies, vice president for business and finance at the Mount.

Arguing for the unborn: Baltimore lawyer-turned-priest receives pro-life honor

September 30, 2021
By Erik Zygmont
Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: #IamCatholic, Feature, Local News, News

Monsignor Farmer emphasizes that the pro-life movement should seek to “convince, not confront” and to “persuade, not provoke.”