Dcn. Markus Stehmer, LC, to be Ordained to the Priesthood on April 29th, 2023

Biography

Deacon Markus Stehmer, LC, was born on June 6, 1988 in Cologne, Germany. He entered the novitiate in September 2009 in Bad Munstereiffel. He completed his studies in humanities in Salamanca, Spain and his baccalaureate in philosophy at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical Athenaeum. In his Apostolic practices, he worked on the fundraising tour in Germany. He returned to Rome to pursue his theological studies. He is currently developing his ministry in the city of Philadelphia, United States as the ECYD assistant, youth sections and vocations promoter.  

Deacon Markus Stehmer, LC, will celebrate his first mass at 9:30 am, April 30th, 2023 at the Santa Agnese Catholic Church in Rome, Italy.

Vocational Testimony

I was born in Cologne Germany, and participated in my parish’s youth ministry at an early age, first as an altar server, and later as a team leader. During my teenage years, I participated in various summer and winter camps at varying Catholic organizations. 

A pivotal moment in my faith was a 2006 ski camp in the Austrian Alps organized by Fr. Klaus Einsle, where the spirituality of the Legionaries of Christ and Regnum Christi moved me to maturity in my faith and convictions as a Catholic. I am grateful for the experiences the Legionaries of Christ has offered me throughout their youth work. 

 In a high school retreat, I grasped the fact that God has a plan for everybody- every human is created for a purpose. While sometimes not easy, I was free to respond to God’s invitation and accept His plan for my life. I dedicated the remainder of my high school career to discovering His will for me. With the knowledge that following His plan was the way to become the most fulfilled and happiest, I decided to devote my life to His callings, in addition to actively participating in them. 

 I learned very quickly that I needed some help on this journey of search for the will of God. Fr. Klaus became my spiritual director and mentor and helped me to distinguish my ideas and intuitions. He was very surprised, as were my parents, when I confessed that I believed I had a vocation to be a Legionary of Christ priest. I couldn’t really believe it myself. But that was what I found the Lord was inviting me to do with my life.   

 After high school, I discerned more on my vocation and became a missionary in Vienna, Austria. Here I could grow in my spiritual life and participate in the apostolic activities of the Legionaries of Christ community. In the summer of 2009, I joined the novitiate of the Legionaries of Christ in Germany first as a candidate and then as a novice.   

 Today I live in Philadelphia and have the beautiful mission of helping young men and women to find their purpose in God’s plan. I want to help them to find their purpose of their existence in this world and to cultivate an openness for God’s plan. I want to help them to become fulfilled, happy, successful and holy.   

 To me, God has been faithful in all His promises, and He has surprised me in so many ways. I’m happy and thankful for my vocation. I love my community and have found the best friends in the Legion and the Regnum Christi movement. I feel loved and want to give back the love I receive.  

I’m curious for what the Lord has in His future plans for myself, my community, and the young men and women I work with.  When you read this, please say a prayer for me and the young men and women I have the honor to work with to help them to find their purpose in this life.   

All are warmly invited to join us for the live broadcast of the Ordination Mass on Saturday, April 29th, at 10:00 am Rome time (4:00 am EDT, 1:00 am PDT),   here.