36th Annual Ordinandi Dinner – A Record Gathering Celebrates Four ‘Yeses’ to God’s Call
A record 1,900 guests filled the Pearson Convention Centre for the 36th Annual Ordinandi Dinner, an evening marked by joy, gratitude, and powerful witness as four men preparing for priesthood in the Archdiocese of Toronto shared how they each came to say “yes” to God’s call. Representing both St. Augustine’s Seminary and Redemptoris Mater Seminary, the ordinandi offered deeply personal stories—each unique, yet united in their testimony to the transforming power of God’s love.
Deacon Moonjun Alphonse Choi reflected on a vocation journey he describes candidly as “sort of complicated.” From his childhood dreams of becoming a soccer star, an artist, or even “like the pope,” his path eventually led him into religious life, and later, out of it. Wrestling with perfectionism and pride, he came to recognize that holiness is not about outward perfection, but interior surrender. A pivotal moment came during a time of discernment in Spain, where, gazing upon a cross, he experienced the Lord inviting him to let go of fear and trust fully: to “take up this, your cross, daily, and follow me.” Now, after years of formation, he confidently affirms, “God’s plan is never a waste,” embracing a call not to be perfect, but to be faithful.
For Deacon Matthew Tulio, the priesthood once seemed like little more than a joke. Raised in a faithful Filipino household but drifting into a lukewarm faith during his university years, he found himself outwardly successful yet inwardly unsettled. While studying neuroscience and environmental biology, he clung tightly to his own plans, hoping they would bring fulfillment. Yet, it was in the midst of this uncertainty that he encountered a profound and undeniable joy when considering the priesthood—a joy he admits he even tried to ignore. “My plans for myself were ruined,” he shared honestly, “and yet, it was somehow going to be okay.” Through the support of the Newman Centre community and a growing trust in God, he discovered that letting go of control opened the door to something far greater than he could have imagined.
Deacon Victor Valdes offered a story rooted in quiet faith that gradually came alive through community and service. After high school, feeling directionless while peers seemed to have their lives in order, he experienced a period of deep discouragement. It was a simple invitation—to join a parish youth choir—that became the turning point. Responding to what he now recognizes as the gentle prompting of the Holy Spirit, he became more involved in parish life, discovering both purpose and belonging. His path was not without struggle; even in seminary, he faced a profound vocational crisis that forced him to confront personal wounds and rediscover authentic freedom. Through prayer, formation, and a transformative Ignatian retreat, he came to a place of clarity and relationship with Christ, sharing with conviction his desire “to serve you all as a priest of Jesus Christ.”
Deacon Matteo Bertozzi’s journey, shaped by his upbringing in Italy within a large and faithful family, revealed the Lord’s work even in moments of rebellion and brokenness. Seeking fulfillment through music, relationships, and independence, he ultimately encountered a deep sense of emptiness. A painful breakup and periods of depression led him to rediscover the Church as a place of healing and belonging. His turning point came during World Youth Day in 2013—a pilgrimage he initially joined with very different hopes. “I had hoped to attend World Youth Day to find a girlfriend,” he shared with humility, “but I returned with a vocation to enter the seminary.” In a moment of unexpected freedom during confession—when a priest told him, “Well, then don’t do it”—he found the space to choose God freely. “The freedom to say no is what at the end convinced me to say yes,” he reflected, recognizing his vocation not as a sacrifice, but as a profound gift.
Together, these four stories form a tapestry of God’s grace at work—through joy and doubt, clarity and confusion, strength and vulnerability. Each witness is a reminder that a vocation is not forged in perfection, but in trust; not in certainty, but in surrender to the One who calls.
The evening stood as a powerful testament to the vitality of vocations in the Archdiocese of Toronto and the importance of community in nurturing them. Special gratitude is extended to the Serrans and to St. Augustine’s Seminary for their dedication and tireless efforts in organizing this remarkable event. Their work continues to be a living witness to God’s call at work in the hearts of these men—and a celebration of the courage it takes to respond with a faithful and generous “yes.”
