In October, Father Wyman Vintson, Vicar for Vocations, led a group of men from the Diocese of Birmingham to the Pontifical College Josephinum for a Come and See Seminary Live-In Weekend. During the visit, the men were able to meet diocesan seminarians and learn more about seminary life. A highlight of the weekend was the Mass in which seminarians Patrick DePew (Holy Infant of Prague) and Max Gallegos (Our Lady of the Valley, Ft. Payne) were admitted to Candidacy for Holy Orders by our own Bishop Steven J. Raica.

The Rite of Admission to Candidacy is a pivotal step in the journey to the ordained priesthood. It is celebrated when a seminarian has reached a maturity of purpose in his formation and has demonstrated the necessary qualifications for ordination. In the presence of the bishop, he publicly expresses his intention to complete his preparation for Holy Orders and his resolve to fully invest himself to that end, so that he will serve Christ and the Church faithfully.