Pictured above are clockwise from left, Seminarians from the Diocese of Corpus Christi: Freddy Villarreal, David Bayardo, Michael Quesada and Deacon Christopher Becerra with Father Trung Nguyen, rector of St. Mary Seminary from the Archdiocese of Galveston/Houston and Father Joseph Lopez, Chancellor and Vocations Director from the Diocese of Corpus Christi. Jenny Faber/Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston

Seminarians Freddy Villarreal, David Bayardo and Michael Quesada were admitted to the Rite of Candidacy for Holy Orders Aug. 15, feast of the Assumption, at St. Mary Seminary in Houston.

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo presided at the Mass of the Holy Spirit and faculty and vocation directors from across the Archdiocese concelebrated the Mass.

“It was very fitting to have it on the feast of the Assumption. Mary is the mother of priests and these young men are aspiring to the priesthood,” Father Joseph Lopez said.

The Houston seminary has 78 seminarians enrolled this year. Jenny Faber/Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston