One week after the eight Final Professions in Bangladesh, the Congregation of Holy Cross celebrated 10 Final Professions in the United States on Saturday, August 26. All ten—eight seminarians and two brothers—are members of the Congregation’s United States Province of Priests and Brothers.

The prayers actually began the night prior on Friday, August 25, in Moreau Seminary on the campus of the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana, with the Province’s traditional celebration of Lucernarium, which is a prayer service combining the Church’s night prayer with candlelight vigils from the early Church. During the prayer, the Professions Crosses and Medals of St. Joseph the religious would receive the following day as signs of their professions were blessed by Fr. Jeff Cooper, C.S.C., Novice Master, who presided and preached.

The Mass of Final Profession was held the following afternoon in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, with Fr. William Lies, C.S.C., Superior of the U.S. Province of Priests and Brothers, presiding, preaching, and receiving the Final Vows of the 10 religious: Mr. Edward James Dolphin, C.S.C., Br. Jacob Eifrid, C.S.C., Mr. Nicholas Henry Guiney, C.S.C., Mr. Stephen Anthony Jakubowski, C.S.C., Mr. Ryan Kerr, C.S.C., Mr. Tyler Carter Kreipke, C.S.C., Mr. Michael Francis Ryan, C.S.C., Mr. Peter Andrew Puleo III, C.S.C., Br. Matthew Rehagen, C.S.C., and Mr. Brian Joseph Vetter, C.S.C.

There was a reception for all in attendance at the University’s Main Building. Later in the evening, there was a dinner for the family of the finally professed and Holy Cross religious back at the seminary.

It was in the chapel at Moreau Seminary the following morning, Sunday, August 27, where the eight seminarians of the class were ordained to the diaconate by the Most Rev. Kevin C.Rhoades, Bishop of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend.

Deacon Edward James Dolphin, C.S.C., comes from Wilmington, Delaware. He professed First Vows on August 3, 2019. Prior to joining Holy Cross, in 2009, he had earned a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems. Edward completed his Master's of Divinity from the University of Notre Dame in 2023. He speaks English and Spanish. He writes, “I have become a more complete and joyful man since entering Holy Cross.” Edward has a deep faith and a strong sense of religious identity. As a deacon, he will serve as a Rector at the University of Notre Dame.

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Br. Jacob Eifrid, C.S.C., hails from Fort Wayne, Indiana. He professed First Vows on August 3, 2019. “I am filled with a sense of peace and gratitude for the gift of my vocation,” he writes. He earned a Master’s Degree in Theology (2022) and French (2023), both from Notre Dame University. Jacob taught at St. Joseph High School in South Bend, Indiana, and has served as Assistant Rector at Stanford Hall at the University of Notre Dame. Following his Final Profession, he will teach and live at the University of Notre Dame.

Deacon Nicholas Henry Guiney, C.S.C., is a native of Hudson, Ohio. Nicholas committed his life to God by professing First Vows on August 3, 2019. He attended Holy Cross College and studied theology. Recently, he completed the Master of Divinity program at the University of Notre Dame. Earlier in his formation journey, he worked at the Alzheimer’s Care Facility in Colorado Springs. Recently he served as Assistant Rector of Siegfried Hall at the University of Notre Dame. With a deep passion for ministry, Nicholas will serve as a deacon at the University of Portland in residence hall ministry.

Deacon Stephen Anthony Jakubowski, C.S.C., was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. On August 3, 2019, he took First Vows. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and Philosophy. He also holds a Master's of Divinity from the University of Notre Dame. Stephen taught at Holy Cross College and served as Assistant Rector of Fisher Hall at the University of Notre Dame. He has good knowledge of German and Spanish, having spent part of his formation in Chile and Peru. For his deacon year, Stephen will serve at the bilingual St. Ignatius Martyr Parish in Austin, Texas.

Deacon Ryan Kerr, C.S.C., is a native of Ada, Michigan. He took First Vows on August 3, 2019. He is quite versed in French and Spanish. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Theology and English, finished the Master of Divinity program, also at the University of Notre Dame. This year, he worked as Assistant Rector of Keough Hall. Earlier in his formation, Ryan served in the Marriage Preparation and Annulment Pastoral Outreach Program at St. Pius X Parish in Granger, Indiana. Ryan will serve as a deacon at Stonehill College.

Deacon Tyler Carter Kreipke, C.S.C., comes from Zionsville, Indiana. He made First Vows on August 3, 2019. Academically gifted, he holds a Ph.D. in Bioengineering from the University of Notre Dame and is conversant in French, Spanish, and German. He served as pastoral associate and school chaplain at Christ the King Parish in South Bend, Indiana. He also was an instructor in the Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Notre Dame, where he also completed his Master's of Divinity. Now as a deacon, Tyler will teach at the University of Portland.

Deacon Michael Francis Ryan, C.S.C., hails from Columbus, Ohio. He professed First Vows on August 3, 2019. Michael has a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering and a Master's of Divinity from the University of Notre Dame. He reflects on the vows to have given “me freedom and form the framework for how I feel called to communicate God’s love in this world.” This past year he was Assistant Rector at Dunne Hall at Notre Dame, and as a deacon, he will be a Rector on the same campus. His older brother, Fr. Brogan Ryan, C.S.C., is a Holy Cross priest.

Deacon Peter Andrew Puleo III, C.S.C., was born in St. Louis, Missouri. On August 3, 2019, he began his vowed life by professing chastity, poverty, and obedience. Having a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology, he put this education to use as a course instructor at Holy Cross College in Notre Dame, Indiana. He later served as Assistant Rector at Sorin Hall at the University of Notre Dame, where he earned a Master's of Divinity. As a deacon, he will serve at St. Joseph Parish in South Bend, Indiana.

Br. Matthew Rehagen, C.S.C., is from Jefferson City, Missouri. He made First Vows on August 3, 2019. His older brother, Fr. Christopher Rehagen, C.S.C., is a Holy Cross priest. Matthew holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy and a Master’s Degree in Theology and Education, all from the University of Notre Dame. He taught at St. Adalbert Catholic School in South Bend, Indiana, where he also served as Athletic Director. Earlier, he served as a pastoral associate at Christ the King Parish. Now as a finally professed brother, he will teach at Cathedral High School, sponsored by the Midwest Province, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Deacon Brian Joseph Vetter, C.S.C., a native of Dublin, Ohio, professed First Vows on August 3, 2019. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology and a Master's of Divinity from the University of Notre Dame. Brian has good organizational skills that he brings to the community. Brian served as Assistant Rector of Baumer Hall on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. He sees Jesus as a friend, one with whom he can be his authentic self in sharing his joys and sorrows. This coming year his diaconal service will be at St. Adalbert/St. Casimir Parish in South Bend, Indiana, where he served earlier as a seminarian.

The Congregation is not yet done with Final Professions in August 2023, with the new Province of East Africa set to celebrate its Final Professions on August 30.