Top, Deacon Alexander with his parents, Tom and Silke Pumphrey. Above, scenes from the ordination. Photos courtesy Dino Orsattii/The Steubenville Register, Fr. Angelo Casimiro, MIC, and Mary Kay Volpone.
"I am so thankful for the prayers and sacrifices of friends, family members, and even strangers that have made my vocational journey possible. I am always humbled to learn of people who I have never met, but who nevertheless pray and make sacrifices for me. I would not have come to this point in my journey without them — without you."
The Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary are pleased to announce that Br. Alexander Pumphrey, MIC was ordained to the transitional diaconate, the last step, God willing, on his vocational journey to the priesthood.
The ordination took place on Saturday, Feb. 1, at 10:00 a.m. at the Triumph of the Cross Parish at Holy Rosary Church in Steubenville, Ohio.
The Most Rev. Edward M. Lohse, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Steubenville, conferred the Sacrament of Holy Orders on Br. Alexander, who will make promises of obedience, celibacy, and to pray the Liturgy of the Hours daily.
Men studying for the priesthood are ordained as transitional deacons prior to beginning their final period of study before ordination to the priesthood. Deacons are able to preach at Mass, baptize, and celebrate weddings, while undergoing additional pastoral, liturgical, and educational preparation.
The Call
“I come from a very eclectic family of four in Atlanta, Georgia,” Deacon Alexander, 31, 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 Alexander 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 Alexander 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, Br. Alexander joined the Marians in 2018.
"As I look back over my life and the various decisions and circumstances that led me to this point," he says, "the words of Mordecai as he spoke to his cousin Esther ring in my ears: 'And who knows whether you have not come … for such a time as this?' (Est 4:14). It’s a rather sobering thought, but one that calls me to rise to the challenge, a call I am more than happy to accept."
A service of hope
Deacon Alexander preached his first homily as a Deacon at the 10:00 a.m. Mass on Sunday, Feb. 2 at St. Peter Church in Steubenville, where Fr. Stephen Castellano, MIC, is based. He will join him in service there.
"I am so thankful for the prayers and sacrifices of friends, family members, and even strangers that have made my vocational journey possible," Deacon Alexander concludes. "I am always humbled to learn of people who I have never met, but who nevertheless pray and make sacrifices for me. I would not have come to this point in my journey without them — without you.
"Please continue to pray for me, that the Lord will continue to fill me with His grace and love and transform me into the saint He desires me to be, even in spite of myself. And know that I am praying for you, asking that He does the same for you, and for your loved ones, too."
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}