Deacon Adam Lewis is well aware of the mystery in his vocational story. Preparing for his ordination to the priesthood on May 17 with Deacon Kevin LeMelle, Deacon Lewis noted wryly, “There are people who have been in seminary longer than I’ve been Catholic.”

Raised in a Christian household, Lewis entered the Catholic Church in 2016. He didn’t know any priests prior to joining the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA). Before OCIA ended, he felt called to the priestly life and entered seminary just two and a half years later.

LeMelle, however, first felt the call to priestly life at 19 years old: “It was in my mind almost every single day.” However, he entered the seminary a full seven years later. Doubt arose after he entered, so LeMelle paused his formation to consider other religious orders, but the break brought a confidence that the diocesan priesthood “is where the Lord wants me to blossom and bloom.” He describes the sense of assurance, from the first stirrings in his heart through the next seventeen years, as a “quiet, persistent call.”

Ordained as transitional deacons in April 2024, Lewis, of St. Columbkille parish in Wilmington, and LeMelle, of St. Bernard parish in Springfield, found in the diaconate new opportunities to say “Yes” to the Lord. Deacon Lewis compares the diaconate ordination to the sacrament of marriage and ordination to the priesthood as a kind of initiation into parenthood. “We’re about to give birth to a parish full of children,” Lewis laughed.

Deacon LeMelle describes the diaconate life as one that is “fit, natural, and secure,” where he’s gained an irresistible sense that he is “meant to be in a parish setting.” He is on track to complete 60 baptisms by the time he is ordained a priest.

Although this 2025 ordination class of two is smaller than the seven- man ordination classes in 2023 and 2024, Deacon Lewis notes that this highlights the mystery present in the call. Acknowledging the challenges that come with this vocation, Lewis said, “It doesn’t take long to realize you’ve been led into the desert,” but also noted that there is grace present throughout.

Both men are eager for their journeys to reach the high point of ordination in May and for new opportunities to say “Yes” to where God calls them. Looking forward, Deacon Lewis asks for prayers that, as priests, they may be “defended against evil and kept close to Christ.” And Deacon LeMelle prays that he may “go through all the doors the Lord opens.” After a lifetime of preparation leading to priestly ordination, the men are ready to advance in service to God.

Deacon Lewis and Deacon LeMelle will be ordained Saturday, May 17 at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains, 325 W 8th St., Cincinnati 45202 at 10:00 a.m.