Local seminarian celebrates rite

Intermountain Catholic

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IC photo/Marie Mischel

Stephen Tilley (center), a Diocese of Salt Lake City seminarian, celebrated the Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Holy Orders May 17 in the Pastoral Center chapel. Bishop John C. Wester (second from left) was the celebrant and homilist. According to Monsignor Colin F. Bircumshaw (left), vicar general, this rite is celebrated when a seminarian has reached a maturity of purpose in his formation and has demonstrated the necessary qualifications for ordination – usually at the beginning of his years of theological studies. 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. To Tilley’s right is his mother, Ria Tilley, and Deacon Ricardo Arias, the diocesan director of vocations.