Seminarian Candidacy Mass

A Candidacy Mass was celebrated by Bishop Robert Marshall at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral on Thursday, Aug. 3 for three of the seminarians of the diocese: Blaine Phillips, Gabe Dowden and Jacob Cass. During this Mass, the seminarians make a public declaration of their desire to devote themselves to the service of God and others in Holy Orders. They will continue their priestly formation in greater depth from this day forward. Pictured left to right: Gabe Dowden, Blaine Phillips, Bishop Marshall, Fr. Luke LaFleur, direction of vocations and Jacob Cass.

The diocese currently has eight men in priestly formation. They are: Transitional Deacon Donnie Kuzma, home parish: St. Anthony of Padua Church, Natchitoches; Matthew Bonner, home parish: Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Pineville; Gabe Dowden, home parish: Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Natchitoches; Jacob Cass, home parish: St. Joseph Church, Marksville; Blaine Phillips, home parish: St. Frances Cabrini Church, Alexandria; Graham Descant, home parish: St. Mary’s Assumption Church, Cottonport; Troy Cannon, home parish: St. John the Baptist Church, Cloutierville; Matthew Kramer, home parish: St. Mary Church, Winnsboro.