Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary

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Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary

The Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary is committed to preparing holy & effective pastoral leaders to serve the Church. At Pope St.

John XXIII Seminary community is committed to our founding mission: the human, spiritual, academic and pastoral formation of candidates between 30 and 60 years of age. Our unique institution is the only American seminary for these mature candidates administered by diocesan priests. For more than four decades, candidates have been accepted from various professional backgrounds; such as law, medicin

e, business, teaching, sales, banking, social work and military service. The diversity of life experiences shared by these mature seminarians enriches both the Seminary community and their future ministries in the Church. John XXIII, seminarians are offered a balanced program of priestly formation in a healthy, happy and mature environment specifically suited for the adult learner. The curriculum of theological studies is designed to nurture what is central to our Catholic Faith and Tradition in an integrated human, spiritual and pastoral formation program. The expectation is that candidates applying for admission will have obtained an undergraduate degree and many enter the Seminary having already earned advanced degrees. Candidates considering admission are sponsored by a diocese or religious order. Our current seminarians represent over thirty dioceses and five religious orders located throughout the United States and beyond. Since 1964, 140 dioceses and religious orders have entrusted the formation of their candidates for priesthood to this Seminary. Our 600 alumni serve throughout the world.

06/01/2026

With great joy, we congratulate Father Clifton Mastran ’25 on his ordination to the priesthood for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston!

On Saturday, May 30, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, Bishop Mark Brennan ordained Fr. Clifton to the sacred priesthood, answering God's call to serve His people with faith, generosity, and love.

Representing Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary at the ordination were Rector Fr. Brian Kiely and Msgr. William Fay, who served as Fr. Clifton’s professor and faculty advisor during his time at the Seminary.

As he begins his priestly ministry, Fr. Clifton shares this heartfelt request:

"Please pray that I will always be a happy, humble, and holy priest, a Good Shepherd, a Good Steward of Souls, His Good Instrument, and a loving Spiritual Father, always loving and serving the will of God the way He wants, when He wants, and how He wants, with all my heart, all my soul, and all my strength!"

Please join the Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary community in praying for Fr. Clifton as he embarks on this sacred vocation. May the Lord bless him abundantly as he shepherds the faithful of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston and brings Christ's love to all whom he serves.

Ad multos annos, Father Clifton!

05/27/2026

With great joy, we celebrate the ordination of Father John Ippolito ’26, who was ordained to the priesthood Saturday morning at St. Patrick's Cathedral for the Archdiocese of New York. Archbishop Ronald Hicks celebrated the Ordination Mass, with the auxiliary bishops of the Archdiocese of New York concelebrating and Timothy Cardinal Dolan in attendance.

Born and raised in Staten Island, Father John Ippolito worked in rehabilitation before entering Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary. He served as both a Rehabilitation Practitioner and Director of Rehabilitation, helping patients recovering from spinal cord injuries and cerebral vascular accidents.

Reflecting on his vocation, Father John shared: “I have been thinking about the priesthood since I have been in college, ‘politely ignoring’ the calling throughout the years, but the ‘gravitational pull’ to this vocation became much stronger. One important reason that God called me to PSJS is that the seminarians are older, more mature, and have had a prior career. I truly believe that this seminary nurtured my vocation.”

Please join us in praying for Father John Ippolito as he begins his priestly ministry.

05/26/2026

With praise and thanksgiving to God, Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary joyfully celebrates the ordination of Father Daniel Bassile ’26 and Father Sinclair Cushmore ’26 to the priesthood for the Diocese of Orlando. Bishop John Noonan ordained them at St. James Catholic Cathedral on Saturday, May 23rd.

Before entering Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary, Fr. Dan Bassile ‘26 worked as an elevator mechanic for 39 years before retiring in 2023. Deeply rooted in service to the Church as a catechist, Eucharistic Minister, sacristan, and lector, he was ordained to the permanent diaconate in 2020. While serving at the altar as a deacon, he experienced a profound call from the Lord during the Consecration — a calling that ultimately led him to Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary and the priesthood.

Fr. Sinclair Cushmore ‘26 brought years of experience in the hospitality industry to his vocation journey, serving at Walt Disney World and later with Rosen Hotels and Resorts in a variety of leadership and guest service roles. He credits those experiences with helping him develop patience and a heart for serving others as he discerned God’s call to the priesthood.

We give thanks for the faithful witness of these two men and pray that God abundantly blesses their priestly ministry. Congratulations, Father Dan and Father Sinclair! Ad multos annos!

05/25/2026

Congratulations and prayerful best wishes to Father Robert Rooney ‘26, who was ordained to the priesthood on May 23rd by Archbishop Shawn McKnight for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church.

Before entering Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary, Fr. Bob practiced civil law for thirty years as a litigator and trial lawyer. Based in Kansas City, his work reached across the nation, with much of his later career focused on environmental law and toxic tort defense.

We give thanks for Father Bob’s faithful “yes” to God’s call and pray that his priesthood will be filled with joy, strength, and abundant blessings as he begins this new chapter of ministry in service to the Church.

05/24/2026

Bishop David Toups ordained Father Paul Landi to the priesthood for the Diocese of Beaumont, Texas, at a Mass celebrated at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica on Saturday, May 23.

Before answering God’s call to the priesthood, Father Landi dedicated more than three decades to serving others as a firefighter and paramedic. He began his career at just 20 years old and retired from the Bellaire Fire Department as a Captain in June 2022 after 31 years of service. A devoted father, he is the proud dad of a son and two stepdaughters.

Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary was honored to be represented at the ordination by Rector Father Brian Kiely, who traveled to Texas for this joyful occasion.

Please keep Father Landi in your prayers as he begins his priestly ministry. He will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 24, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Mont Belvieu, Texas.

05/23/2026

Vespers on the eve of Ordination to the Priesthood for Deacon Daniel Bassile ’26 and Deacon Sinclair Cushmore ’26 of the Diocese of Orlando.

During the prayerful celebration, Bishop John Noonan blessed their chalices — sacred vessels that will soon be used as they begin their priestly ministry at the altar.

Please keep Deacon Dan and Deacon Sinclair in your prayers as they prepare to joyfully answer God’s call to serve His Church as priests.

05/21/2026

Archbishop Richard G. Henning ordained Giris Azize ’26 and Stephen Baruffi ’26 to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Boston on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.

Fr. Giris Azize worked in the pharmaceutical and medical device industry for 33 years, most recently with Pfizer Inc., managing representatives and distributors around the globe in sales and training. He also founded a photography business, traveling internationally for World Youth Days with Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis for Zenit, the Vatican News Agency. Deeply involved in the life of the Church, Fr. Giris is the father of four children and four children in Heaven. He has been assigned as Parochial Vicar at Saint Julia Parish in Weston and Lincoln, Massachusetts.

Fr. Stephen Baruffi worked as an international legal consultant focusing on the Asia Pacific and Western European regions. He is a widower and father of adult children. Fr. Steve has been assigned to St. Bridget Parish in Abington and Holy Ghost in Whitman, Massachusetts.

We give thanks to God for the vocation and witness of these two men, whose varied life experiences, faith, and commitment to Christ will now serve the people of God as priests of the Archdiocese of Boston. Please keep Fr. Giris and Fr. Steve in your prayers as they begin their priestly ministry.

05/15/2026

What began in profound loss became a journey of faith, purpose, and calling. Deacon Giris Azize’s path to the priesthood is a powerful witness to hope, even in life’s most difficult moments. Read his story at https://www.thebostonpilot.com/article.php?ID=202423

05/09/2026

Yesterday, the bells of Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary rang out in celebration of the first anniversary of the election of Pope Leo XIV as our Holy Father. At 1:15 p.m. — the exact time Pope Leo first appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica one year ago — our community joined parishes and institutions throughout the Archdiocese of Boston in marking this joyful milestone.

Later in the afternoon, seminarians and faculty gathered in prayer to offer a Rosary for the intentions of Pope Leo XIV, asking Our Lady’s intercession for his papacy and leadership of the Church.

A beautiful day of prayer, unity, and gratitude for our Holy Father. 🇻🇦

05/06/2026

Since returning from Easter break, the courts have been alive with friendly competition at the Seminary’s Bocce Tournament!

Seminarians, faculty, staff, and alumni have all been taking part, making the most of our campus bocce courts and enjoying time together outdoors. More than just a game, bocce has become a wonderful way to build community, share laughter, and strengthen the bonds that make our Seminary such a special place.

We’re grateful for these moments of fellowship—and a little healthy competition!

Address

558 South Avenue
Weston, MA
02493

Telephone

+17818995500

Website

https://www.psjs.edu/

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