A deacon who was born and raised in New Kensington was ordained into the priesthood Saturday.
The Ordination Mass for the Rev. Christopher J. Pujol took place at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Greensburg.
“Looking back, it seems like those six years (in seminary) have flown by, and to see all of this come to a new beginning for me as a priest is very exciting,” said Pujol, 28. “I am also grateful for the support of family, friends and clergy to be able to respond to (this calling).”
Pujol went to grade school at Mount St. Peter Roman Catholic Church, where he also served as an altar boy. He graduated from Valley High School in 2012.
The newly ordained priest is expected to celebrate a traditional Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday, which occurs the day after ordination, at his home parish, Mount St. Peter.
Attendees likely will include family and parishioners who supported him throughout his journey. He is the son of Laurie and Rick Pujol of New Kensington and the youngest of his siblings, Rebecca and Andy. He also has two nieces, Lydia and Harper.
Pujol said diocesan leaders have not told him which church he will be leading yet.
Pujol was ordained Saturday by Monsignor Michael J. Begolly, pastor of Mother of Sorrows Parish in Murrysville.
“I feel very humbled, very grateful for not only my family support and their love, but the entire church of Greensburg and the universal church and being able to say yes to follow Christ and to receive the order of priesthood. It’s been a beautiful day, not only physically with the weather but to lay down my life for Christ.”
Diocese officials said Begolly has been an inspiration for Pujol since 2005, when Begolly became pastor at Pujol’s home parish.
“I was in the fifth grade, and he was my pastor from grade school all the way through college and seminary, up until last year,” Pujol said. “He is really an example to me of how to serve and have the heart of a priest and how to always be present for the people.”
Pujol has a bachelor’s degree in international relations with a minor in peace, justice and conflict resolution from Duquesne University. He also earned a master’s degree in philosophy from Saint Vincent Seminary in Latrobe and a Master of Divinity degree at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood.
Pujol said it was during his time at Duquesne University when he felt the Lord calling him to serve.
“Become a priest is not just a ceremony, it’s a transportation of our entire being,” he said. “To be vigilant, to be the good, the love and the truth and the beauty, and to spread that to everyone we encounter.”
Michael DiVittorio is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Michael at 412-871-2367, mdivittorio@triblive.com or via Twitter .
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