The call to the priesthood is being heard and answered in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati as evidenced by the nine men who were ordained at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains on May 18. 

The cathedral was filled to capacity for the joyful celebration of the largest class ordained in 40 years. Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr presided at the Mass, with Bishop Joseph R. Binzer as concelebrant. This historic ordination marks a recent high in the number of men ordained in a given year. Over the last decade, there have been other large classes, including seven men in both 2009 and 2016. 

The men ordained this year with their assignments are listed below:

Father Alex Biryomumeisho: Parochial Vicar at St. John Fisher, Newtown, and St. Veronica, Mt. Carmel.

Father Mark Bredestege: Parochial Vicar at Clermont Catholic Communities of St. Ann, Williamsburg; Holy Trinity, Batavia; 

St. Louis, Owensville; and St. Philomena, Stonelick.

Father Zach Cecil: Parochial Vicar at St. Theresa of Avila, Cincinnati and St. William, Cincinnati.

Father Christian Cone-Lombarte: Parochial Vicar at Ft. Recovery Cluster of St. Joseph, St. Joseph; Mary Help of Christians, 

Ft. Recovery; St. Paul, Sharpsburg, and St. Peter in St. Peter.

Father Ambrose Dobrozsi: Parochial Vicar at Dayton Pastoral Region XII of St. Adalbert, Holy Cross; Our Lady of the Rosary, and St. Peter, Huber Heights.

Father Andrew Hess: Parochial Vicar at Holy Angels, Sidney, 

and faculty at Lehman Catholic High School.

Father Elias Mwesigye: Parochial Vicar at St. Susanna, Mason.

Father Jeff Stegbauer: Parochial Vicar at Immaculate Heart of Mary, Anderson Township.

Father Jedidiah Tritle: Parochial Vicar at All Saints, Montgomery, and St. Vincent Ferrer, Kenwood.

For the current academic year, 2019-2020, 46 seminarians are in formation at the Athenaeum for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Three of these men will be ordained to the priesthood this May. 

More information about the Athenaeum of Ohio/Mount St. Mary’s Seminary can be found at Athenaeum.edu.