“This is a most glorious day for Holy Mother Church and for the Religious Family of the Incarnate Word!” These were the fitting opening words of the homily of Bishop Chad Zielinski (New Ulm) in the Ordination Mass of four new priests and one new deacon for the Institute of the Incarnate Word. On Saturday, February 7, 2026, these five men were ordained at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Washington, DC.
Four New Priests
- Fr. Andrew Clement Barth, IVE
- Fr. Miguel Castro III, IVE
- Fr. Joseph Diony Midi, IVE
- Fr. Peter William Trinko, IVE
New Transitional Deacon
- Dcn. Denis Marcel Lemire, IVE
The principal celebrant of the Solemn Mass of Ordination to the Priesthood and the Diaconate was Bishop Chad Zielinski of the Diocese of New Ulm. The liturgy was attended by many family and friends of the ordained, including groups that traveled from places as far as Texas, Florida, California and Mexico. The liturgy was embellished by the beautiful choir made up of sisters and seminarians of the Religious Family.
Indeed, it was a day of great celebration as four new priests of Christ, four men who will act in persona Christi (in the person of Christ), were ordained. When the Bishop anointed the hands of newly ordained priests, the hands that will now daily consecrate the Body and Blood of Christ, he prayed that they be given the priestly power to “sanctify the Christian people and offer sacrifice to God”. This is the essential role of the priest in the Mystical Body of Christ, and therefore the priesthood is a source of tremendous joy and grace for the entire Church.
In his homily, Bishop Chad reminded the candidates for ordination: “by the holy anointing of your hands you will be configured to Christ the High Priest… you will be completely new men by Christ’s holy desire!” Later, he told them: “We are ordained to the Sacrament of Holy Orders, sent into the world of darkness and chaos to unleash holy order! Friends in Christ, our world more than ever is crying out for holy order! Our society is looking for a man-made fix and that’s not going to happen. It will come through the gift of the Sacrament of Holy Orders which pours forth sacramental grace into the lives of the faithful and impels them to go on mission.”
The Mass of Ordination was followed by a reception at the Ven. Fulton Sheen House of Studies. The festive dinner was accompanied by a traditional fogón in which the seminarians, priests and sisters shared various songs for the all those celebrating.
On Sunday, February 8, the first Masses of Fr. Peter Trinko and Fr. Miguel Castro were celebrated at the Parish of St. John Baptist de la Salle. At the end of the Mass, the newly ordained consecrated their priesthood to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
We ask you to join us in praying for these priests, that they may be faithful to the calling to Holy Orders and be priests conformed to the Heart of Christ.
Mary, Mother of Priests, pray for them!
“Lord, I want to be a host; white and spotless, by Your grace and for You. Weak, with You as my only strength.”
– Marcelo Javier Morsella, IVE
First IVE seminarian to pass away—Feb. 8, 1986
