Deacons Michael Maloney and Joseph Wappes will be ordained to the priesthood in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis on May 25 with 11 other men. Their formation was unique among the class as they studied at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.

The deacons said that the opportunity to study in Rome enriched their formation for the priesthood.

“I’m really grateful for the chance to have been here,” Deacon Wappes told “Practicing Catholic” radio show host Patrick Conley. “I just feel like I’ve seen the universal Church in a new way, been able to travel all over Europe, some to Africa and then a lot just in Italy.”

Deacon Wappes served at the Papal Easter Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square, which he said was “a great joy.”

Deacon Maloney said that despite how much he has enjoyed his time in Rome, he is excited to return home to be reunited with his family and classmates.

“The main emotion at this point is excitement, looking forward to coming home, looking forward to getting ordained with my classmates,” said Deacon Maloney. “I feel really blessed to be part of this great group of men getting ordained in May.”

The deacons still have to complete their final exams before flying home. But despite the stress of exams, Deacon Wappes said that he is at peace.

“There’s a great sense of peace that this is right, this is how God has invited me to lay down my life, for service for the Church. I just have great peace and excitement,” he said.

Deacon Wappes said that he first thought about the priesthood when he was in the second grade. When he was in high school, his family invited priests over to dinner and their example encouraged him to enter the seminary.

Deacon Maloney also experienced the first hints of the call to the priesthood at a young age. In 2003, he attended his uncle’s ordination, where he realized the priesthood was a possibility for his life. Like Deacon Wappes, his call developed throughout high school.

The two deacons visited The St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul together, then entered the seminary after high school. Deacon Maloney said witnessing the lives of other young men in his parish who had joined the seminary encouraged him.

“Knowing other brother seminarians from our parish who have gone on ahead of us really inspired me to enter the seminary and follow the Lord’s call there,” Deacon Maloney said.

To hear more about the deacons’ journeys toward the priesthood, including a discussion about their role models, listen to the “Practicing Catholic” episode that debuts at 9 p.m. April 26 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM and repeats at 1 p.m. April 27 and 2 p.m. April 28.

Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the program also includes Mike Rios-Keating of Catholic Charities Twin Cities talking about a documentary featuring a program for those struggling with chronic alcohol addiction, and Archbishop Bernard Hebda discussing his excitement ahead of the May 25 ordination.

Listen to interviews after they have aired at archspm.org/faith-and-discipleship/practicing-catholic or choose a streaming platform at Spotify for Podcasters.