Father John Vespa from Melbourne, Australia, was among thirty-two deacons ordained by Pope Leo XIV at St. Peter’s Basilica on June 27. The ceremony, held on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, marked a significant milestone in Vespa’s vocational journey, deeply intertwined with the city of Rome.
The ordination, a part of the Jubilee of Priests, attracted candidates from diverse regions, including the Americas and Oceania. Vespa, who learned of his selection earlier in June, quickly arranged for his family and friends to witness the momentous occasion in the Eternal City.
Chosen to Represent Australia
Earlier this year, Vespa was immersed in theological studies at Corpus Christi College in Melbourne. It was there that a priest encouraged deacons to consider the opportunity of being ordained at St. Peter’s Basilica. Vespa embraced this invitation with earnest prayer and discernment.
“Over the weekend, I discerned and prayed about it,” Vespa shared, reflecting on the collective commitment of the men preparing for ordination. His decision to proceed was supported by Archbishop Peter Comensoli, who endorsed his application.
“A few weeks ago, on June 3, I received an email from the Dicastery of Evangelization, which said that I was selected to represent Australia,” Vespa recalled, expressing his profound sense of blessing and honor.
Heart of Jesus, Heart of a Priest
The significance of the ordination date was not lost on Vespa. The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, he noted, is emblematic of the priestly vocation. “The Sacred Heart of Jesus is a model for the heart of the priest, which is love, mercy, sacrifice,” Vespa explained. He echoed Pope Benedict XVI’s sentiment that the priesthood is born from the heart of Christ.
This alignment of dates and meanings underscored the spiritual depth of the ceremony, as Vespa and his fellow deacons committed to lives of service and devotion.
Full Circle: A Journey Back to Rome
For Vespa, the ordination was a return to a city that holds personal significance. In 2018, during a family visit to Rome, he stood before Michelangelo’s Pietà in St. Peter’s Basilica and revealed to his mother his decision to pursue the priesthood. Later that day, he shared the news with his father in St. Peter’s Square.
“Seven years ago, I told my mother that I had applied to seminary in front of the Pietà…now I stand in front of it as a priest,” Vespa reflected, acknowledging the profound journey that brought him back to Rome.
“God has worked through our lives and that’s a special blessing for myself, my family, but also all the people of God,” Vespa stated.
Looking Forward
As Fr. John Vespa returns to Australia, he carries with him not only cherished memories but also the teachings and inspirations from the ordination homily. “I’ll try to take some pearls of wisdom from that homily and live that out in my priestly ministry,” he expressed.
Vespa’s ordination is a testament to the global nature of the Catholic Church and the enduring spiritual connections that transcend borders. His journey, from Melbourne to Rome, encapsulates a story of faith, dedication, and the universal call to serve.
