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June 23, 2025By Caitlin Burm
For three days each year, a gathering of seminarians occurs within the Diocese of Tucson for a special time of fellowship, formation and prayer. Whether these men are still in formation, or further along in their journeys, these men all have a common goal–to continue along their path of becoming a Diocesan priest.
During the annual Diocese of Tucson Seminarian Convocation at the Redemptorist Renewal Center (June 11-13, 2025), the men spent time together praying, reflecting on their vocation, sharing their journeys and thoughts with others on the same path, and volunteering.
Presently, there are a total of six men discerning a call to the priesthood as a Diocese of Tucson seminarian. These seminarians include:- Charles Nagore, Our Lady of Fatima
- Josue Limon, St. Augustine Cathedral
- Julian Osborn, St. Thomas the Apostle
- Matthew David, Our Lady of Grace, Maricopa
- Stephen Grummett, St. Francis of Assisi, Yuma
- Dylan Martin, Our Lady of Grace, Maricopa
“Truly step into people’s lives when serving and teaching them about the Lord.”
Throughout the retreat, guidance and support by vocations directors, including Director of Vocations, Reverend Alan Valencia, and Associate Vocations Directors, Reverend Abundio Colazo-Lopez, Reverend Jesus Gomez, Reverend Luis Pablo Ochoa Escarrega, and Reverend Richard Rivera occurred.
Father Alan Valencia said of the time: "Our time together as seminarians and the Vocation Office is essential to continue to grow in fraternity and in formation. Our convocation reminds us that prayer, formation, education, community building and outreach are activities that are done together; this allows us not only to be a better group of people but also a better Church."
He added:"It is very encouraging to see a group of young men love the Lord and be willing to dedicate their entire lives to loving and serving the Church. I am looking forward to their continual growth and ordinations when I can call each one of them my brother priest. I thank God for all those who support and pray for our seminarians and vocations; without them, the formation of future priests would be nearly impossible."
Seminarian, Charles Nagore, said: “It was wonderful to spend time with my brothers who are now ordained, and with my new brothers, who are great men jumping into formation. We enjoyed great bonding and fellowship over the convocation and received amazing insight from all the speakers who came to share about the importance and impact of the priestly ministry with us. Fr. Alan and the other vocations directors are doing a wonderful job at casting out into the deep and helping good young men respond to the Lord’s call." "The future of the Diocese of Tucson is a bright one!" —Charles Nagore
The seminarians are also looking forward to the upcoming Diaconate Ordination of Charles Nagore on September 6, 2025, at St. Augustine Cathedral, which will allow the men to celebrate one of their fellow seminarians reaching a goal they are all working to attain.
If you’d like to help support a seminarian, please visit: Donations: Office of Vocations
- Charles Nagore, Our Lady of Fatima