2023 Sending Forth Mass for Seminarians

August 12, 2023 — As the new school year is about to start, a unique journey of faith and learning is about to continue as summer gives way to fall. Seminarians, those men studying for the priesthood, are preparing to return to their respective seminaries. To mark this moment and offer blessings for the path ahead, a Sending Forth Mass is a special tradition in the Archdiocese of Las Vegas that brings together seminarians, their families, and the broader community to pray for them and send them forth to continue their studies. 

Archbishop George Leo Thomas, Ph.D. celebrated the special mass on August 11 at St. Anthony of Padua parish in Northern Las Vegas. The Mass was concelebrated by Bishop Gregory W. Gordon, Auxillary bishop for Las Vegas, and many priests from Las Vegas. Assisting in the Mass were Deacon Joseph "AJ" Sales, and Deacon Michael Williams, both transitional Deacons studying for the Priesthood. 

During the Mass, Archbishop Thomas introduced the returning Seminarians for this next school year; Magnus Igbokwe, Deacon Joseph "AJ" Sales, Deacon Michael Williams, Simon Tran, Sean-Matthew Flores, Robert Martinez, German-Andrés Ramirez, and Juan Pablo Macias. New seminarians for Las Vegas were also introduced which include: Gino Esposito, and Ernesto Juarez. 

The Archdiocese of Las Vegas primarily uses Mount Angel Seminary and St. John Seminary. Mt. Angel is run by the Benedictine Monks in Mount Angel, Oregon, and St. John's is run by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. 

Please pray for all discerning their vocations to Priesthood and Religious Life. If you are discerning a call to the priesthood, visit our vocations page. 

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