The Holy Spirit called upon two Canisius alumni ordained to the priesthood this spring.
Bishop Richard J. Malone ordained Rev. Michael K. Brown ’83 at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Buffalo in May. 
“A great feeling of humility and docility was present with me that day,” says Father Brown. “I prayed, ‘here I am Lord. I offer myself to serve as one of your priests and submit to what you feel is your will for me.’”
Father Brown says his Canisius experiences prepared him well for the various leadership roles throughout his government career, and now for the priesthood. He also was greatly influenced by many of the Jesuits at the college.
“Rev. Ladislaus Juhasz, SJ, was a humble, holy and brilliant man,” says Father Brown. “Through conversations with him, the late Rev. John Garvey, SJ, the late Rev. James Ruddick, SJ, and the late Rev. James Demske, SJ, former Canisius president, I received enormous encouragement. They also served as great role models.”
Read more about Father Michael K. Brown ’83 here.
Peter Tassini ’10 was ordained and assigned to the Diocese of Syracuse, NY, during a Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in June.
“The whole experience was particularly inspiring but I was especially moved when all the priests were laying hands on me,” says Tassini.
Tassini’s spiritual journey began as a teenager when he first considered a religious vocation. His parents encouraged the close-knit family to attend weekly Mass together. They taught Tassini to recognize the presence of Christ in himself and others. Tassini became a volunteer at his home parish, St. James, and ministered to the sick and elderly.
He then chose to attend Canisius University, where he knew he would receive the vocational guidance he needed. “The Jesuits at Canisius helped me discern and discover where I would be most happy in my service to God.”
Read more about Tassini’s journey here.
Canisius is one of 28 Jesuit universities in the nation and the premier private university in Western New York.
-30-
