Jacksonville, Fla. – Bishop Felipe J. Estévez will ordain Rev. Mr. Richard Pagano of Palm Coast, to the priesthood for the Diocese of St. Augustine on Saturday, May 18, at 10:30 a.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine. The Mass will be concelebrated by the priests of the diocese.

Pagano, 30, entered St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach in May 2006. Before that, he recalled a lifestyle typical of most high school students – lots of friends, athletics and dating.

After high school, he opted to take time off and work, play a little basketball, pay bills, hang out with friends, and even go “clubbing,” before applying to college.

During this time, he admits to feeling lost, like something was missing in his life.

So, he enrolled in college in New Jersey and earned a spot on the basketball team, however, a previous injury deterred his plans. He came back to Palm Coast, had knee surgery and then the unthinkable happened – he blew out his other knee and his hopes for a basketball career.

Still searching for the missing link, and not knowing what direction his life would take, he remembers asking God to lead him.

“I felt empty, and there was an ache and questions such as, ‘who am I and who was I supposed to be?’” said Pagano.

Soon after, and while working in youth ministry at Santa Maria del Mar Parish in Flagler Beach, Pagano said he began to find the answers.

“I fell in love with the life and ministry of the church,” said Pagano. “I saw the beauty of the vocation of ordained priesthood.”

“It seems to me that along the journey of life, love and beauty emerges from the soul little by little and a vocation is made manifest.”

The ordination is open to the public. For more information, call (904) 824-2806.