Disciples in loving fellowship with Jesus Christ in Rochester, N.Y.
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Armando Alejandro
Theology III
St. Mary’s Seminary, Houston, Texas
Home Parish: Our Lady of the Atonement, San Antonio, Texas
In his own words: I was born and raised in D’Hanis, Texas. I was baptized at Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church, which was the only church (Catholic or Protestant) in my hometown. After graduating from D’Hanis High School, I entered the work force and started attending Our Lady of the Atonement. It was in this period that I heard the call to enter the seminary while praying in front of the Blessed Sacrament, which had never crossed my mind until then. I worked as a teacher and assistant choir director at Our Lady of the Atonement Parish and the Atonement Academy before my current seminary studies for the Ordinariate at Saint Mary’s Seminary. In the Saint Mary’s Seminary community, I have been active as assistant music coordinator, fill-in organist, and head music coordinator. I have also had the privilege of assisting with the Christian Initiation classes and serving as acolyte in the subdiaconal ministry at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Walsingham. Praised be God for His great works!
Favorite scripture: Paul’s words to the Ephesians (4:1-3) have always resounded within my soul: “Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” While my call to the seminary and priesthood was not always clear, it was always clear to me that regardless of my state of life I was called to be a saint. In responding to this call to holiness, my central focus, indeed the focus of every single Christian, must be to conform ourselves to the image and the most holy will of God. In doing so, man fosters virtue and unity with those he encounters and communion with the Mystical Body of Christ. This is the scripture by which I attempt to fashion my life so that one day, I may join the choirs of angels in singing the eternal “Sanctus.”Please pray for Armando and consider supporting him in his vocation with a generous contribution to the Ordinariate Seminary Formation Fund. If you decide to make an investment in our seminarians, please kindly select St. Alban - Rochester, when making your sacrificial gift.