Let Us Pray for Our Seminarians
Memphis, Tenn. – Each year our Catholic Diocese of Memphis seminarians get together for a diocesan retreat. This year has been taking place from June 17-19 at Our Lady Queen of Peace (OLQP) in Stanton, Tenn.
We currently have 20 young men in formation towards the priesthood–surrendering their lives to the service of our Diocesan Church. May God bless them and keep them.
After the retreat, Priests and Seminarians will come together for their Annual Summer Gathering celebration. This year it will coincide with the Solemnity of The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the celebration of the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Clergy.
The celebration will include a private Mass (only priests and seminarians) this evening, Friday, June 19, 5:00pm at OLPH Catholic Church in Germantown, which will be live-streamed for the public on OLPH’s Facebookpage.
At the Mass, Bishop David P. Talley will admit four of our seminarians into candidacy for the Holy Orders: John Griffith, Andy Madeksho, Rolando Perez and Andrew Raffanti.
The journey to this stage of formation is profound, requiring years of intense philosophical and theological study. For many of these men, arriving at candidacy represents a definitive transition from their previous secular careers into a deeper spiritual commitment. They bring with them diverse experiences from the modern working world, equipping them with a unique understanding of the everyday challenges faced by the faithful.
In an era marked by constant connectivity, their pastoral training heavily emphasizes meeting parishioners where they are. The Church recognizes that modern ministry cannot be confined strictly to the physical walls of a parish. Today’s clergy must be prepared to offer spiritual guidance to a congregation deeply immersed in the digital landscape.
Pastoral care now regularly intersects with the complexities of this online environment. Priests and counselors increasingly listen to parishioners navigating entirely digital ecosystems, helping them find balance amid remote work pressures, endless social media cycles, and digital leisure ranging from streaming networks to an online casino or competitive gaming platforms. Understanding these facets of contemporary life allows the next generation of priests to offer more relevant, empathetic counsel.
To prepare for these demands, the quiet solitude of the diocesan retreat at OLQP remains essential. The sprawling grounds in Stanton provide a necessary contrast to the noise of the outside world, offering the seminarians a chance to unplug, reflect in silence, and focus entirely on their discernment. It is within this quiet reflection that the foundation for an active, outward-facing ministry is built.
As these four men take this crucial step in their vocational journey, the entire diocese is invited to support them. Through continued prayer and community encouragement, the Church in Memphis hopes to see this group—and all 20 men currently in formation—flourish as they move closer to the priesthood.