Prospective Catholic U.S. Navy Chaplain Ordained a Priest in Arlington, VA

Priestly ordination of Father Sean Koehr marks final step in formation

Father Sean Koehr, a prospective U.S. Navy Chaplain, was ordained a Catholic priest on June 8, 2019, in Arlington, VA.

ARLINGTON, VA – Father Sean Koehr, a U.S. Navy chaplain candidate, was ordained a priest on Saturday, June 8, in Arlington, VA. Father Koehr, 29, completed his priestly formation at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, PA, where he earned a Master of Divinity Degree and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology. He hopes eventually to serve as a Catholic chaplain in the U.S. Navy with endorsement and faculties from the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS) after three years of pastoral service in his home Diocese of Arlington.

Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington ordained Father Koehr at St. Thomas More Cathedral through the laying of hands and the prayer of consecration invoking the Holy Spirit. His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, Archbishop for the Military Services, concelebrated the 11:00 a.m. ordination Mass.

“The military services are fertile grounds for the Gospel,” Father Koehr said. “The men and women in the Navy and Marine Corps desire the best and are searching for the best in themselves. I’m looking forward to preaching the Gospel at Mass — every day. It’s the greatest and most important message in the history of the world. It’s a huge responsibility and an awesome privilege to be entrusted with passing on the church’s tradition. Because everyone needs it. Everyone needs the Gospel and the sacraments.”

The new priest is a 2008 graduate of Seton School in Manassas, VA. He graduated in 2012 from Notre Dame University, where he took part in the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) and majored in philosophy.

Among those in attendance at the ordination Mass were the Rev. Mr. Koehr’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Koehr, his grandparents, and 11 siblings. Father Koehr celebrated his first Mass on Sunday, June 9, at Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Warrenton, VA. He will begin his first three years of pastoral service at Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Fredericksburg, VA, while preparing to go on active duty in the Navy.

Young men interested in discerning a priestly vocation, and the vocation within a vocation to serve those who serve in the U.S. military, can find more information at www.milarch.org/vocations, or may contact the Vocations Director, Father Aidan Logan, O.C.S.O., by email at vocations@milarch.org.

Photo courtesy of Joe Cashwell | Diocese of Arlington.

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