On Sunday, April 26, seminarians Steven Diel and Jesus Reynoso were admitted to Candidacy for Holy Orders (through the Rite of Candidacy for Holy Orders) at Saint John’s Seminary. In his homily, Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., challenged the entire seminary community to reflect deeply on what it means to be a shepherd after the heart of Christ. Drawing from the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, he contrasted self-serving leadership with the self-giving love Christ models—one that is lived not from a distance, but “shoulder to shoulder” with God’s people. He reminded the seminarians that their vocation is not simply about becoming priests, but about becoming a priest who is shaped after the very heart of Christ.
