This spring and summer, 17 seminarians from Sacred Heart Major Seminary will celebrate their presbyteral ordination. The men will be ordained priests with the Archdiocese of Detroit, the Chaldean Eparchy of St. Thomas the Apostle, the Companions of the Cross, and the dioceses of Lansing, Marquette, Steubenville and Gary. 

In reflecting on the past year as a transitional deacon, Deacon Ryan Ferrigan of the Diocese of Lansing saw the ways the Lord has been preparing him for the priesthood. 

“I have experienced some of the joys of spiritual fatherhood, especially in the children I have baptized and in a marriage for which I was able to assist,” Deacon Ferrigan said of his duties as a deacon. 

Deacon Ferrigan also found that the simple act of wearing the Roman collar in public has helped him adapt to the “public persona” of the priesthood and allowed him to engage with others as a cleric.

Similarly, Deacon Jim Musgrave of the Archdiocese of Detroit said his transitional diaconate year has given him a new perspective on what it means to be called to the priesthood. Deacon Musgrave served at St. Andrew Parish in Rochester during his time as a transitional deacon. 

“I’ve been so blessed to minister with two amazing priests, Fr. Brian Cokonougher and Fr. Joe Horn,” Deacon Musgrave said. “In addition to the many formative opportunities to preach and teach, I’ve most enjoyed helping others know and love Jesus better. This past year has cemented my desire to continue this next phase of discipleship as a priest of Jesus, the King of Kings.”

The ordinandi have spent five years or more in formation at Sacred Heart, preparing for ministry and forging memories with their brothers at the seminary. 

“In receiving an education here, rooted in the teachings of the Catholic Church and focused on evangelization, I have gained a deeper understanding of who the priest is,” said Deacon Manas Khurana, CC, who will be ordained for the Companions of the Cross. 

Deacon Brandon Elias of the Eparchy of St. Thomas is grateful for the tradition of a community holy hour at Sacred Heart. The time of prayer is held each Thursday in the seminary’s chapel with the seminarians and priest faculty. 

“Early on in my formation, I distinctly remember being moved to tears at the sound of every man in the chapel chanting together the O Salutaris Hostia during Exposition,” Deacon Elias said. “The love and praise we all gave to Jesus in the Eucharist has always left an impression on me and has helped me maintain a reverence and piety toward the Blessed Sacrament in my own prayer and in community prayer.” 

Seminary life provided special times for the men outside the classroom and the chapel, too. Deacon Ferrigan cherishes his memories from last year’s Sacred Heart theater production, H.M.S. Pinafore. He was cast in a lead role despite having never been on stage before. The experience not only challenged him, but provided an opportunity to bond with other seminarians and to develop confidence by performing in front of an audience.

Ordination Masses within each diocese and community will soon be under way, beginning with the Archdiocese of Detroit on May 23 and ending with the Eparchy of St. Thomas on July 4. While the men look forward to their ordination day, they anticipate their lifetime of priestly ministry most of all.

“I desire nothing more than to be a priest who preaches the Gospel, makes Jesus’ saving works present and available through the sacraments, and equips disciples to re-create and transform the world until Jesus comes again in glory,” Deacon Musgrave said.

Archdiocese of Detroit – Dcn. Lizandro Barba, Dcn. Karl Finkbeiner, Dcn. James Musgrave, Dcn. Daniel Whalen

• Date: May 23, 2026, at 10 a.m. 
• Location: Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit
• Celebrant: Most Rev. Edward J. Weisenburger
• Watch the livestream: https://www.facebook.com/cathedral.aod/live 

Companions of the Cross – Dcn. John Brundage, Dcn. Karl Hartman, Dcn. Manas Khurana

• Date: May 30, 2026, at 10 a.m.
• Location: Notre Dame Cathedral, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
• Celebrant: Most Rev. Marcel Damphousse
• Watch the livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@CompanionsCross 

Diocese of Steubenville – Dcn. Peter Stetson

• Date: May 30, 2026, at 11 a.m.
• Location: St. Mary of the Assumption Basilica in Marietta, Ohio
• Celebrant: Most Rev. Edward M. Lohse
• Watch the livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@basilicaofst.maryoftheassu3289

Diocese of Marquette – Dcn. Mark Beukema, Dcn. Drew Langton, Dcn. Tyler Rivard

• Date: June 5, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. 
• Location: St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette, Michigan
• Celebrant: Most Rev. John F. Doerfler
• Watch the livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@theupcatholic/streams

Diocese of Gary – Dcn. William O’Donnell

• Date: June 6, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. CDT
• Location: Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary, Indiana
• Celebrant: Most Rev. Robert J. McClory
• Watch the livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@DioceseofGaryIN3

Diocese of Lansing – Dcn. Joshua Bauer, Dcn. Ryan Ferrigan, Dcn. Peter Randolph

• Date: June 6, 2026, at 10:30 a.m.
• Location: St. Thomas Aquinas in East Lansing, Michigan
• Celebrant: Most Rev. Earl A. Boyea
• Watch the livestream: http://www.youtube.com/@lansingdiocese 

Eparchy of St. Thomas – Dcn. Brandon Elias, Dcn. Lucian Gumma

• Date: July 4, 2026, at 11 a.m. 
• Location: Mother of God Chaldean Catholic Church in Southfield, Michigan
• Celebrant: Most Rev. Francis Y. Kalabat 
• Watch the livestream: http://www.youtube.com/@ChaldeanDiocese