Preparing for Priestly Ordination
May 19, 2012
On Friday, five brothers begin their week-long silent retreat in anticipation of their ordination to the Sacred Priesthood of Jesus Christ. The ordinandi (those brothers to be ordained) are Rev. Bro. Jerome Augustine Zeiler, O.P., Rev. Bro. Jordan Joseph Schmidt, O.P., Rev. Bro. Augustine Marie Reisenauer, O.P., Rev. Bro. Michael Dominic O’Connor, O.P. and Rev. Bro. Justin Marie Brophy, O.P. His Excellency, Most Reverend J. Augustine DiNoia,O.P., Secretary for the Congregation of Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments and a friar of the Province of Saint Joseph, will ordain the candidates through the Imposition of Hands and the Invocation of the Holy Spirit. The Mass of Ordination will be held in Washington, DC, at the historic Saint Dominic’s Church. Saint Dominic’s is the longstanding host for the Province’s priestly ordinations. During this time of retreat, please remember our brothers in your prayers.
O Lord Jesus Christ, great High Priest, we thank you for calling our Brothers, Jerome, Jordan, Augustine, Michael and Justin to Your holy priesthood. Lead them in Your unerring footsteps; so that they may become priests who are models of purity, possessors of wisdom and heroes of sacrifice. May they be steeped in humility and aflame with love for God and man. Make our brothers apostles of Your glory and great preachers of Truth for the salvation of souls.
Rev. Bro. Jerome Augustine Zeiler, O.P.
The son of Ken and Martha Zeiler of Pagosa Springs, CO, Bro. Jerome Zeiler, O.P., was raised at Christ the King Parish in Dallas, TX. He attended The Highlands School in Irving, TX and pursued his undergraduate studies at Thomas Aquinas College, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree. After graduating from Thomas Aquinas, he pursued graduate studies at the University of Dallas. He entered the Dominican Order in August, 2005 at St. Gertrude Priory in Cincinnati, OH. Bro. Jerome was assigned to the Dominican House of Studies in 2006 where he earned his Master of Divinity and his Bachelor of Sacred Theology degrees. Additionally, this spring, he completed his Licentiate in Philosophy at the Catholic University of America. During his years at the Dominican House of Studies, he was assigned to various ministries including teaching RCIA at Blessed Sacrament Parish and serving at a local L’Arche community. Bro. Jerome professed his solemn vows in the Dominican Order on November 13, 2010. As a deacon, he served at St. Pius V in Providence, RI and St. Jane Frances de Chantal Parish in Bethesda, MD. Following his ordination, he will serve as parochial vicar at St. Gertrude parish in Cincinnati, OH.
Rev. Bro. Jordan Joseph Schmidt, O.P.
The son of Randal and Susan Schmidt of Bismarck, ND, Bro. Jordan (Andrew) Schmidt, O.P., grew up in the parish of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit. He attended Saint Mary’s Central High School and is an alumnus of Saint John’s University, Collegeville, MN, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree. Before entering the Dominican Order, he studied at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, served in the Peace Corps in China, and worked for Habitat for Humanity International. Andrew entered the Dominican Order in August 2006 at St. Gertrude Priory in Cincinnati, OH, taking the religious name Jordan Joseph. Bro. Jordan was assigned to the Dominican House of Studies in 2007 where he earned his Bachelor’s in Sacred Theology at the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception and began coursework for his License in Sacred Scripture from The Catholic University of America. During his years at the Dominican House of Studies he was assigned to various ministries including the American University Catholic Campus Ministry and giving conferences to the Lay Fraternities of Saint Dominic. Bro. Jordan professed his solemn vows in the Dominican Order on November 13, 2010. As a deacon he served at Saint Thomas Aquinas in Charlottesville, VA and Saint Mary’s in Landover Hills, MD. Following his ordination, he will serve as parochial vicar at St. Mary’s parish in New Haven, CT and finish his Licentiate.
Rev. Bro. Augustine Marie Reisenauer, O.P.
The son of Daniel and Karen Reisenauer of Wenatchee, WA, growing up, Bro. Augustine (Matthew) Reisenauer, O.P., attended Saint Joseph Parish and graduated from Wenatchee High School. He is twice an alumnus of the University of Notre Dame, having earned both a Bachelor of Science and Master of Theological Studies at Notre Dame. He entered the Dominican Order in August 2006 at St. Gertrude Priory in Cincinnati, OH, taking the religious name Augustine Marie. Bro. Augustine was assigned to the Dominican House of Studies in 2007 where he earned his Licentiate in Sacred Theology. During his years at the Dominican House of Studies he was assigned to various ministries including the Arlington County Detention Center and the University of Maryland Catholic Campus Ministry. Bro. Augustine professed his solemn vows in the Dominican Order on November 13, 2010. As a deacon Bro. Augustine was assigned to the Cathedral of Saint Matthew the Apostle where he prepared engaged couples for marriage, assisted with parish catechesis, and celebrated the sacrament of baptism. Following his ordination he will be assigned to the Priory of St. Thomas Aquinas at Providence College, and will teach theology. 
Rev. Bro. Michael Dominic O’Connor, O.P.
The son of Dan and Verene O’Connor of Peru, IL, Bro. Michael (Kevin) O’Connor, O.P., was raised in St. Joseph Parish. He attended St. Bede Academy and is an alumnus of Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in Winona, MN, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music and Philosophy. After graduating from Saint Mary’s, he worked as a parish music director and a grade school music teacher. He entered the Dominican Order in August 2006 at St. Gertrude Priory in Cincinnati, OH, taking the religious name Michael Dominic. Bro. Michael was assigned to the Dominican House of Studies in 2007 where he earned his Master of Divinity and his Bachelor of Sacred Theology degrees. During his years at the Dominican House of Studies he was assigned to various ministries including giving tours at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, working at the Northwest Pregnancy Center, and assisting at the American University Catholic Chaplaincy. Bro. Michael professed his solemn vows in the Dominican Order on November 13, 2010. As a deacon, he served at St. John the Beloved Parish in McLean, VA. Following his ordination, he will continue to pursue his License in Sacred Theology at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington.
Rev. Bro. Justin Marie Brophy, O.P.
Bro. Justin (Christopher) Brophy, O.P., is the son of Tom and Coleen Brophy of Totowa, NJ, and was raised attending Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Wayne, NJ. He graduated from Seton Hall Preparatory Academy in West Orange, NJ and is an alumnus of the University of Notre Dame, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy. After graduating from Notre Dame, he entered the Dominican Order in August 2006 at St. Gertrude Priory in Cincinnati, OH, taking the religious name Justin Marie. Bro. Justin was assigned to the Dominican House of Studies in 2007 where he earned his Bachelor of Sacred Theology and his Licentiate in Sacred Theology degrees. During his years at the Dominican House of Studies he was assigned to various ministries including the Chaplain’s Office at the University of Maryland and Aquinas House, the Catholic campus ministry at Dartmouth College. Bro. Justin professed his solemn vows in the Dominican Order on November 13, 2010. As a deacon he was assigned to St. Peter’s on Capitol Hill where he preached regularly and participated in various parish ministries. Following his ordination, he will be assigned to the Priory of St. Thomas Aquinas and serve as the Assistant Chaplain of Providence College.
