Meet Chris Ortega

Theology III at Mt. St. Mary's Seminary, Emmitsburg, MD
Projected Ordination Year: 2011

Home parish: Los Angeles



What brought you all the way to the Savannah Diocese?

The short answer is: "God." I had been taught that whatever comes from God comes with peace. I was not at peace with the idea of going back to Los Angeles, so I began to ask God to give me a home. I had been brought up in L.A.; it was where my culture was...it was my home. But God was telling me that he had something else in store for me, so I conceded and asked him to lead me where he wanted me.

I began to notice that I had many classmates at Ave Maria from the Diocese of Savannah (especially from the Alleluia Community in Augusta). I visited them during breaks...and I began to realize that Savannah was moving to the fore of my mind. "God," I prayed, "if I leave home, would I be able to call this home?" As I listened, I noticed a peace in my heart.

How did you decide to pursue the priesthood?

One night, during my junior year of high school, I had a moment of loneliness. In that moment, God revealed to me his desire for me to be a priest. I went to sleep in disbelief at what I experienced and woke up rationalizing it. But after that, I found myself thinking about priesthood more and more. I began to see the beauty of priesthood. I found myself day dreaming about the life of a priest and the wonderment of the sacraments.

That moment in high school was a moment where I was disposed enough to hear the voice of the Lord. He used that moment to get his foot into the doorway and get my attention. After that, he was able to begin a process that would take a few years. As I finished high school, volunteered with NET Ministries, and finished college, the desire to become a priest began to mature and refine itself.

How do you feel about your journey towards the priesthood?

I am without a doubt excited to get involved with ministry. I really enjoy talking to people about their faith and about a deeper relationship with God. I see the great blessings and the responsibilities that a priest must undergo. I feel like I am preparing myself for an adventure of a lifetime and I can't wait to see what sort of things await for me down the road.

Spiritually, I am in love with God. There is nothing more that I could ask for. A priest's life is surrounded by prayer and service. I fully enjoy trying to dive deeper into my relationship with God. This only seems to feed my desire to help others on any level. Service, in return, invigorates my desire to commune even more deeply with God. It just seems to never end.