Note: Archbishop William E. Lori will ordain six men to the priesthood June 22 at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland. The following is a profile of one of those future priests. New profiles of the other new priests will be added to the Catholic Review site daily from June 16 to June 21. Click here to read them.
Deacon Franz Josef Basalo Belleza enjoys a leisurely stroll or jog during his downtime, but he says his journey to the priesthood has been “no walk in the park.”
Now that he is near the finish line of his formation, the 32-year-old is excited to share his passion for preaching and the sacraments with the faithful of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
A native of Cebu City in the Philippines, Deacon Belleza is completing his studies at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg and his pastoral work at St. Joseph in Cockeysville.
“I look forward to leading the flock that will be entrusted to me,” said Deacon Belleza who first arrived in the United States in 2010.
Deacon Belleza said his greatest vocational passions are preaching and ministering to families preparing for baptisms and funerals, and couples preparing for weddings. He said he also cherishes participating at Mass and the sacraments.
“I know God is calling me,” said Deacon Belleza, who said he made the decision to take the path to priesthood in 2012 when he was a 20-year-old. “My heart is at peace. It’s been a long journey, no walk in the park. God is calling me to be of service to him.
“The most rewarding part is that I believe God is using me to be an instrument to lead his people closer to the Lord. It’s a gift and a privilege to be able to celebrate the sacraments. It’s priceless.”
Deacon Belleza said his family played a pivotal role in his discernment. His father, Tereso Belleza, is a retired mechanical engineer and his mother, Luz, is a biology teacher in Nevada. His brother Ralph Josef is an assistant restaurant manager in Baltimore and brother Edcell Josef is an area manager in Nevada.
He said growing up that the family always worshiped at Mass on Sundays together, attended weekly prayer meetings and prayed the rosary nightly. He also attended Catholic schools.
“I grew up in a typical Catholic family,” he said. “Prayer was always at the center of our lives.”
He said Filipino priests Father Pete Literal, Father Jose “Jojo” Opalda and Father Jan Jumamoy have been a few of his greatest vocational influences.
He also said he is grateful for the guidance from the pastors at his pastoral assignments – St. Joseph, Cockeysville; St. Mary of the Assumption, Govans, and St. Pius X, Rodgers Forge; St. John the Evangelist, Frederick, and St. Joseph-on-Carrollton Manor, Buckeystown; St. Martin’s Home for the Aged, Catonsville; and St. Mary’s University Campus Ministry.
Deacon Belleza returned to his native Philippines for missionary work and studied at Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepción, Cebu; University of San Carlos, CebuMater Redemptoris College, Laguna, Philippines; St. Peter’s College Seminary, Laguna; and St. Monica Institute of Religious Studies, Cebu.
He said he received his calling to the priesthood while praying at St. Peter’s Seminary and reading Joshua 1:9 (“Be strong and steadfast! Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go.”)
In 2020, he returned to Maryland to be a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Baltimore. He is completing his theological seminary work at Mount St. Mary’s.
“It’s been so great to be surrounded by men with the same perspective and dedication,” he said of his studies in Emmitsburg.
“I’m really looking forward to working as an associate pastor after ordination,” said Deacon Belleza, who enjoys watching true-crime dramas and action movies.
A member of the Oblate Apostles of the Two Hearts in Dover, Del., for several years before studying for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, he said he has a special devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Email Gerry Jackson at gjackson@CatholicReview.org
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