Fr. Stephen Castellano, MIC
Novice Master
Steubenville, Ohio
First Vows: 8/15/2019
Final Vows: 8/16/2023
Priestly Ordination: 5/18/2024
Previous assignments and dates:
Student, Dominican House of Studies, Washington D.C.: Fall 2019 – Spring 2021; Fall 2022 – Spring 2024
Apostolic year at St. Mary and St. Patrick Catholic Churches, Plano/Yorkville, Illinois: Fall 2021 – Summer 2022
Parochial Vicar, St. Peter Catholic Church, Steubenville, Ohio: July 2024 – June 2025
Do you have a devotion to a particular Saint(s)?
There are so many saints I admire (Mary, first and foremost!). But after her, St. Joseph would be on the top. St. Joseph has been known as a “quiet man” because Scripture doesn’t record any of his words. However, I suspect he was as vocal and strong as any of the great male saints in the Church’s history—but even more so. He was strong enough to be the protector and defender of the Holy Family, yet tender enough to show the merciful face of the Father to his wife, Mary, and to his foster-son, Jesus. And so, he’s an example to all men, but especially to fathers—even spiritual fathers like myself!
Do you have a favorite story from your ministry?
When I was parochial vicar at the parish we used to have donut socials on Sundays. The little kids were very enthusiastic about the donuts, and by the end of the social they would inevitably end up with icing and jelly all over their faces.
Favorite quote from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska?
[Jesus said,] But child, you are not yet in your homeland; so go, fortified by My grace, and fight for My kingdom in human souls; fight as a king’s child would; and remember that the days of your exile will pass quickly, and with them the possibility of earning merit for heaven. (Diary, 1489)
Favorite prayer to Our Lady?
Definitely the Rosary. I fell in love with the Rosary when I was a senior in high school, and ever since then I’ve only fallen more and more in love with it. It’s like the chain that keeps my soul attached to God. Who could be better at keeping us connected to God than Mary, the Mother of God? The Lord at times gives me the gift of feeling that connection with her when I pray it, which I know by faith is always present whenever I pick up the beads and start praying.
What was it like being the first Marian in the province to receive the White Habit?
Receiving the white habit was like a dream come true. We Marians finally had a distinguishing religious garment, different from the common garb of diocesan priests. The white color highlights Mary’s immaculacy, and so it symbolizes in a very specific way our charism (the Immaculate Conception). Our founder, St. Stanislaus Papczyński, from the very beginning gave us this habit as a sign of our spiritual identity. And so the habit is a sign to the Church and to the world of who we are as Marians. When I wear the habit I feel connected to our spiritual heritage, and also to the Marians who wore this for the first 200 years of our existence. Occasionally people on the street will stop me and ask about it, so it’s also a good opportunity for evangelization.
More on Fr. Stephen:
Scenes from the Ordination of the newest Marian priest
Alleluia! Deacon Stephen Castellano, MIC, to be ordained to the priesthood on May 18
Marian brother ready for the diaconate
Holy Catholic Mass and the Celebration of Perpetual Vows of Br. Stephen Castellano
St. John Vianney, the Patron Saint of Priests!
Divine Mercy Plus videos
