By Emily Chaffins - Freelance Writer
MIAMI | In nearly a decade, Archdiocese of Miami priestly ordinations have never been this big. A total of nine new priests received Holy Orders May 9, marking the largest priestly ordination since 2017.
About 900 attendees filled the Cathedral of St. Mary in Miami — not including the approximately 150 priests who welcomed their newest brothers. Archbishop Thomas Wenski presided as main celebrant, accompanied by five fellow bishops: Auxiliary Bishop Enrique Delgado of the Archdiocese of Miami; Bishop Fernando Isern, bishop emeritus of Pueblo, Colorado; Bishop Pierre-André Dumas of Anse-à-Veau-Miragoâne, Haiti; Auxiliary Bishop Silvio José Báez of Managua, Nicaragua; and Chorbishop Michael Thomas of the Maronite Catholic Church.
Family and friends journeyed from far and wide to be present for this milestone in the lives of the nine ordained, who come from diverse backgrounds: Brazilian, Colombian, Cuban, Haitian, Italian, Nicaraguan, Polish and Venezuelan.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski celebrated this year’s large number of new priests not only because of the size of the ordination class, but also because of the diversity among the newly ordained.
“We are attracting seminarians from other countries. This year we ordained nine new priests, and we have 16 seminarians studying in Miami for the priesthood. We need them because we are growing, and it is a great blessing. This year, the new priests are very diverse, and they look just like Miami, which is also very good because they reflect the people to whom they are preaching,” the archbishop explained.
Photographer: Tom Tracy Photography 2026
The Archdiocese of Miami’s newest shepherds
This year’s nine candidates came from many different places — both geographically and experientially — to find themselves in the same cathedral, on the cusp of ordination.
Adam Cahill, 36, is a former music teacher who studied at the University of Miami.
Henry Cárdenas, 31, from Colombia, discovered his vocation through the Neocatechumenal Way Catholic community and has served on missions in North and South Carolina, Arizona and New Jersey.
Tomasz Koziel, 34, from Poland, initially felt drawn to the priestly vocation at 6 years old and eventually discerned through the Neocatechumenal Way.
Aristides Lima, 32, wore his World Youth Day 2023 badge from St. Thomas University beneath his robes during ordination, embracing his enthusiasm for young adult ministry — as it was through college ministry that he discovered his vocation.
Carlos Luzardo, 31, from Venezuela, is the first parishioner from Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Doral to become a priest. Through ordination, he became a spiritual father on May 9, the same day his own father passed away.“God slowly shaped my heart through daily service, prayer and community,” Father Luzardo said while reflecting on his vocation journey.
Cristhian Mendieta, 29, overcame religious persecution in his home country of Nicaragua in order to discern his vocation.
Saint-Clos Papouloute, 37, braved the transition from Haiti to Miami to discern priesthood, discovering a sense of belonging in the community at Notre Dame D’Haiti Mission.
Michele Sega, 29, once considered becoming a Ferrari engineer but realized through the Neocatechumenal Way that true fulfillment in his life would come from priesthood. He credits his time in Miami before becoming a seminarian as integral to his vocation story.
Pietro Pironato, 29, from Italy, had a reconversion experience through the Neocatechumenal Way as a teen. Miami holds special meaning for him, as he spent time in prayer in Miami before officially joining seminary.
Ordination Mass began with altar servers processing down the center aisle, swinging incense and carrying the cross — both images of sacrifice. The Pontifical Choir and Orchestra’s music reverberated throughout the cathedral. Expressions of nervous excitement on their faces, the candidates stood beside their family members. White vestments, to be worn once ordained, were folded over the front of their pews in expectation.
As approximately 150 priests processed through the center aisle, some paused briefly to offer a warm nod, hand clasp or hug to the candidates.
Archbishop Wenski’s homily was full of advice.
“As a priest, you will offer the Holy Sacrifice [of the Mass] every day,” he said. “Therefore, sacrifice must also be the condition of your life. In giving Christ’s Body and Blood, we must also give our body and blood for the life of our people.”
“A priest, Pope Francis told us, ‘is not to build walls but bridges,’” he added. “Pope Leo XIV says in similar words that a priest is to be ‘a channel, not a filter.’ We must leave the doors of the Church open, he insists, to a ‘suffering humanity’ in need and not ‘be an obstacle to those who wish to enter.’”
During the Rite of Ordination, each of the men knelt one by one before the archbishop. Laying his hands on their heads, Archbishop Wenski ordained them.
Miami clergy pray over the newly ordained priests of the Archdiocese of Miami May 9 at St. Mary's Cathedral in Miami.
“A day we’ll never forget”: family and friends react
As the choir sang, priests and bishops vested their newest brothers. Father Juan Sosa, retired, and Father Elvis Gonzalez, pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Miami, helped brand-new Father Adam Cahill don his stole, draped around the neck, as well as his cloak-like vestment, or chasuble. Both knew him from St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Miami.
“For me, it’s an incredible experience to see someone I knew when he was a child accept the call to priesthood,” said Father Sosa, former pastor. “He has a lot of talent that he can use to promote the liturgy.”
Father Sosa, a composer, shares Father Cahill’s love for music. He noted that although the new priest left a music education path to pursue his vocation, music will always be an important part of his life.
“His love of music touches his soul,” Father Sosa said. “That’s what music does, especially Church music. It touches the soul, leading us to prayer and to union with Christ.”
“There was something missing in my heart,” Father Cahill said while reflecting on his discernment. “I felt the Lord calling me to follow Him in a deeper way.”
Paul Cahill, father of Father Cahill, described the ordination as “a very joyful day.”
“He studied a lot to get here. First, he studied music at the University of Miami, and then he spent another seven years in the seminary,” he said. “He was always very religious, and we recognized his vocation to the priesthood from a very young age.”
“He is a great communicator. He speaks with clarity, and I believe he will be a great preacher.”
After washing their hands following an anointing, the nine newly ordained priests of the Archdiocese of Miami prepare to return to the altar, where Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski will present each with a chalice.
Mavi Leal, Father Carlos Luzardo’s cousin, said future parishioners will be lucky to have such a caring priest to guide them. She recalled a particular moment when her cousin comforted her during a difficult time.
“He made time to talk with me and to share the Word of God,” she said. “In difficult moments, you realize there are not many people around you, and he is one of those who truly wants to be there for you.”
Noting that the ordination coincided with the anniversary of Father Luzardo’s father’s passing, Leal said the moment brought hope amid grief.
“It feels like God is speaking to us,” she said. “What was once a sad day has now become a day we will never forget.”
Mirella Leal, grandmother of Father Carlos Luzardo, described the ordination as a day of both joy and sadness because his mother was unable to attend the ceremony and his father is no longer alive.
“He was always very religious, so for us his decision to become a priest was not a surprise,” she said. “Seeing him so happy fills us with joy as well.”
Teresa Koziel, mother of Father Koziel, traveled from Poland to accompany her son on the day of his ordination.
“I had been waiting a long time for this day,” she said. “I have only one son, and I gave him to God. I am very happy — it is a true blessing to see my son ordained. He is in the right place.”
Father Michele Sega had his own cheer section straight from Italy: 10 Neocatechumenal Way community members. His friend Luca Isaiah spoke to the deep community ties they share with Father Sega.
“I believe the Neocatechumenal Way is the center of his life,” he said. “It’s really important because you feel like you’re not alone, that you’re part of this great Word [of God] because you feel loved by a great Father that is God.
”Clara Rodriguez, her husband and son came from New Jersey to celebrate the ordination of another Neocatechumenal Way priest, Father Henry Cárdenas. They participated in the same missions to North and South Carolina a few years ago.
Whether through serving in catechesis or youth pilgrimages, Rodriguez said Father Cárdenas “has a particular connection with the poor, the youth and people who have gone through a lot.”
“He’s great at making them feel loved by God and welcome in the Church,” she said.
After the Mass, the nine priests gave their first blessings to attendees during the reception in the Archdiocesan Hall. As they begin a new chapter, they will be sent out across the archdiocese to serve.
Father Saint-Clos Papouloute, in particular, has a special assignment, as he will be returning to Notre Dame D’Haiti Mission in Little Haiti, the community he served as a seminarian.
For Father Cristhian Mendieta, the priesthood is ultimately about accompanying people through the most important moments of their lives.“I want to celebrate the Eucharist, hear confessions and be there for people, especially in their hardest moments,” he said.
Note: Juan Alejandro Di Prado, Andoni Biurrarena, Tom Tracy and Cristina Cabrera Jarro contributed to this report.
New priest assignments, effective June 15
- Father Adam Cahill, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Doral
- Father Henry Cárdenas, St. Gregory the Great Parish, Plantation
- Father Tomasz Koziel, Nativity Parish, Hollywood
- Father Aristides Lima, St. Gregory the Great Parish, Plantation
- Father Carlos Luzardo, St. John Neumann Parish, Miami
- Father Cristhian Mendieta, St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Miami
- Father Saint-Clos Papouloute, Notre Dame D’Haiti Mission, Miami
- Father Pietro Pironato, Immaculate Conception Parish, Hialeah
- Father Michele Sega, St. Katharine Drexel Parish, Weston
