As the mother church for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains serves as a focal point for worship, community life, and joyful celebrations—among them are ordinations to the permanent diaconate and priesthood. In the presence of clergy, family members, colleagues, and friends, the men eagerly and gratefully respond to God’s call amid their faith community’s prayers.

When Father Michael Willig worked in downtown Cincinnati and was discerning a vocation to the priesthood, he often stopped in the chapel at St. Peter in Chains to pray, finding the experience powerful. During his ordination in 2022, “an occasion of tremendous joy,” he recalled “spending time in that very place where I accepted the Lord’s invitation to leave everything behind and go to the seminary.”

“Growing up, my family emphasized the importance of discerning one’s vocation and that provided me with an openness to God’s plan,” explained Father Willig, who was also inspired by his brother, Father Jacob Willig, ordained in 2018, and his uncle, Father Jim Willig, who passed away in 2001.

“I served at [my brother’s] ordination, and that was a great honor,” said Father Michael Willig. “Seeing my brother’s sense of peace and trust in the Lord and the fulfillment of the great journey of his vocation was very special.”

Now, as the director of the Archdiocesan Vocations Office, he encourages area Catholics who have never attended ordination at the cathedral basilica to consider it.

“It’s such a beautiful moment for the Church and the archdiocese,” Father Willig said. “St. Peter in Chains is packed with representation from all over the archdiocese. As the men lay prostrate during the Litany of Saints, asking the intercession of the whole heavenly court, the prayers of the people of the archdiocese are also with them, asking for the Lord’s mercy and strength.”

Deacon Chris Jasek’s ordination to the permanent diaconate this past April was just as meaningful and deeply personal: during the same Mass, his son, Daniel, was ordained as a transitional deacon, on the path to priesthood.

“It was very special and very joyful,” said Deacon Chris Jasek, who serves in the St. John Paul II Parish Family. “The Holy Spirit was present, and you could just feel that it was God’s will. Daniel’s ordination to the priesthood next year will be another joyous time.”

Chris Jasek began his journey to the diaconate more than 15 years ago, but put it on hold while he and his wife, Denise, raised their five children. “I’ve been blessed to lead and participate in many ministries as a layperson, but it seemed the Lord was asking me to take on a more public-facing role in the Church,” he said. “I finally had the courage to answer His call.”

During the Rite of Ordination for the permanent diaconate and transitional diaconate on April 26, it was especially powerful to “be there … with the wider Church,” Deacon Jasek said. “When St. Peter in Chains is full, the presence of everyone is just awesome. And, at the beginning [of the] ordination, when your name is called and you say, ‘Present,’ it is like the Lord is calling your name in front of the whole Church, and you’re responding to God’s call with all of their prayers to support you.”

Also ordained in April, Deacon Chris Bergman agrees the atmosphere at the cathedral basilica contributes to the ordination experience. “The space is very sacred, and the design reminds you of the history and tradition of ordination in the Church,” he said. “You walk into St. Peter in Chains and feel that the saints are there with you, and [you] are reminded of all the people of faith who have gone before you. There really is that sense that you’re part of something much bigger than yourself.

Deacon Bergman, who serves the Eastside Family of Parishes, said his call to the diaconate unfolded over time and that his discernment was akin to having an ongoing conversation with God. “With every step, I felt like God was leading me down the path to becoming a deacon, even when there were bumps in the road,” he said.

When that joyful April day arrived, it was, “in so many respects, surreal,” Deacon Bergman added. “The place was absolutely packed, and we were surrounded by so many people that had come to support us. The sense of welcoming was amazing. In Archbishop [Robert] Casey’s homily, it was like he was speaking to each one of us individually. The whole thing was such an experience of faith and community—in a beautiful and holy place.” ✣

This article appeared in the November 2025 edition of The Catholic Telegraph Magazine. For your complimentary subscription, click here.