"It is overwhelming to realize all of the people in my life who have done so many things for me, have loved me, prayed for me, supported me, and accompanied me on this journey. In so many ways, you have had more faith in me than I have! And for that and for all of our Marian Helpers, I am so very grateful."
By Dr. Joe McAleer
The Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception are proud to announce that Deacon Alexander D. Pumphrey, MIC, will be ordained to the priesthood this Saturday, Aug. 16, at 9:00 a.m. ET at the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.
The Most. Rev. Edward B. Scharfenberger, DD, Bishop of Albany, New York, will be the celebrant.
Attendance is by invitation only. The Mass will be livestreamed here and on YouTube, beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET.
Deacon Alex is currently assigned to the Marian Fathers' Divine Mercy Apostolate in London, England, working with Fr. Lukasz Mazurek, MIC.
The Call
“I come from a very eclectic family of four in Atlanta, Georgia,” Deacon Alex, 32, admits. “My Mom’s side is a patchwork quilt of spiritualities and religions: Jewish, Lutheran, Catholic, Episcopalian, and Taoist/Buddhist. My Dad’s side is staunchly Episcopalian. In fact, several of my family members are Episcopal priests, including my grandfather and my Dad.”
He credits his father, Tom, with having the biggest impact on his spiritual life. “Dad modeled for me what it meant to be faithful to God, to love Scripture and prayer, and how to pursue a life of quiet and humble holiness.”
Deacon Alex felt the call to priesthood as a sophomore in college. “I wanted to follow in the holy footsteps of my family members and serve as an Episcopal priest, but was told I was ‘too Catholic’ and too young,” he recalls. While he was working at Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School, his Catholic roommate prompted him to join the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA).
“I knew that God wanted me to become Catholic,” he says. “Even before I joined the Church, I knew God was calling me to serve Him as a priest and religious, so I went to the one place where everyone goes to search for the answers to life’s biggest and deepest questions: the Internet. I looked around and discovered the Marians.”
Marian charism
Deacon Alex found the Marian charism of praying for the dead and dying especially compelling. “That really spoke to me,” he says. “It’s also a part of the Anglican tradition in which I grew up and has always been close to my heart.” Following a “Come & See” retreat, he joined the Marians in 2018, and was ordained to the transitional diaconate on Feb. 1, 2025.
"Priesthood is not the goal of formation but rather just another level," he admits. "In a way, formation has just begun! I am excited to see where the Lord will lead me and I hope and pray that He will keep me humble enough to always recognize that He is the one at work, not I.
First Mass
Newly-ordained Fr. Alex will celebrate his first Mass at the National Shrine on Sunday, Aug. 17 at 9:00 a.m. ET. The Mass will be livestreamed on YouTube.
Attendance is by invitation only. The Mass will be livestreamed here and on YouTube, beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET.
"Thank you to everyone for everything," Deacon Alex concludes. "It is overwhelming to realize all of the people in my life who have done so many things for me, have loved me, prayed for me, supported me and accompanied me on this journey. In so many ways, you have had more faith in me than I have! And for that and for all of our Marian Helpers, I am so very grateful."
Visit Marian.org/vocation-support to help Deacon Alex Pumphrey and his brothers answer God’s call.
Discerning a vocation to the Marian Fathers? Visit Marian.org/vocations to learn more! {shopmercy-ad}
