35th Annual Ordinandi Dinner - The Church rejoices when men say ‘yes’ to God’s call
On Tuesday, March 19, 2025, more than 1,800 guests gathered in Brampton for the 35th Ordinandi Dinner, organized by Serra Clubs of the Archdiocese of Toronto. The annual event brings together the Catholic community to listen to vocation stories of those who will be, God willing, ordained shortly to the priesthood. These men have spent the last number of years in formation at St. Augustine’s Seminary (as well as the Redemptoris Mater Missionary Seminary) in Scarborough. The Class of 2025 includes three men who will be ordained for the Archdiocese of Toronto, one for the Archdiocese of Kingston and one for the Diocese of Peterborough.
Special guests included family members of many of the ordinandi along with Frank Cardinal Leo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto, Dr. Moira McQueen, President of Serra International as well as dozens of Serrans, parish priests along with their parishioners in addition to Catholic Women’s League and Knights of Columbus members, prayerfully supporting those in the final days of their priestly formation.
While Serra is a global organization, Serrans spend most of their energy at the grassroots level, as part of their local Serra Club (there are six in the Archdiocese of Toronto – click here to find one near you). In collaboration with the local diocese, clubs organize and promote a large number of events and programs–prayer for vocations, dinners for clergy and recognition events for altar servers, to name just a few.
Special thanks to Mario Biscardi, founder of the Ordinandi Dinner, and the entire dinner committee for their tireless efforts to organize and promote the Ordinandi Dinner each year. Over the past 13 years, the Ordinandi Dinner has also expanded to a day-time youth event for high school students, this year drawing more than 800 young people to hear vocation stories from men and women who have discerned a call to a religious vocation. Local school boards have been enthusiastic supporters and participants in the day.
May these events continue to inspire the Catholic community, recognizing the importance that each one of us can play in stirring the seeds of discernment and praying for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. St. Junipero Serra, pray for us.
