Vocations

Halfway through his first year at St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Roland Park, Christopher de Leon looked spent.

Monsignor Martin E. Feild’s priesthood has been all about involving more people in the life of the church. Inspired by the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, the Catonsville native committed himself to inspiring others to be active participants at Mass and in the wider faith community.

It’s no accident that St. Peter the Apostle in Libertytown has five men in formation to become archdiocesan priests and one woman preparing to take her vows as a Daughter of St. Paul.

Father Patrick Peach is turning in his black clerics and white collar for a brown tunic.

The Sept. 19-21 reunion, sponsored by Mega Millions winner Bernadette Gietka, was the first time many of the graduates had seen each other in decades, and brought back memories of their long-closed school.

Wearing hooded grey robes cinched at the waist with ropes, nearly a dozen Franciscan Friars of the Renewal marched through the streets of downtown Baltimore Aug. 9 carrying a large crucifix, an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe and a papal flag.

Jumping into parish life at Ss. Philip and James in Baltimore helped convince Father Joseph Cosgrove he might be called to the priesthood.