Reverend Mr. Richard S. Withers to Be Ordained to the Priesthood by Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez
The Ordination Mass will be streamed live at https://vimeo.com/event/2470138, www.scs.edu, www.facebook.com/ArchbishopPerez/, and www.facebook.com/StCharlesSem/.
The Reverend Mr. Richard S. Withers, son of Ida Astor and Robert Withers, will be ordained to the Priesthood by Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, D.D., Archbishop of Philadelphia.
Saturday, May 17, 2025
10:00 a.m.
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Brother Richard S. Withers is the son of Robert Withers and Ita (Elaine) Astor. He is a native of San Fernando Valley in California. He grew up in Cherry Hill, New Jersey and later moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He became the first diocesan hermit in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and professed vows as a hermit in 2001.
Father Withers will celebrate his First Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving on
Sunday, May 18, 2025
10:30 a.m.
Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church
80 S. 17th Ave.
Coatesville, PA 19320
Reverend Monsignor Michael Magee, Vice President for Academic Affairs at the Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary; Reverend Monsignor John Jagodzinski, Pastor Emeritus, Saint Katharine of Siena Parish in Wayne (Delaware County); and Father Juan Mora, F.M., Pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Coatesville (Chester County), will concelebrate the Mass.
CatholicPhilly, the official digital news agency of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, recently published a profile on Brother Withers. To read his profile, “At 70, ‘Trailblazer’ Becomes First Hermit Priest in Archdiocese of Philadelphia,” please click here.
Five men comprise the Ordination Class of 2025 for the Church of Philadelphia. Following the conclusion of Mass with the Rite of Ordination, most will be assigned to an archdiocesan parish where they will serve as parochial vicars. A parochial vicar is a priest appointed by the Archbishop to assist the pastor of a parish in his duties to tend to the pastoral and temporal needs of those entrusted to his care.
Thanks to the generous support of the Catholic Charities Appeal, the Mass will be streamed live via the Archdiocesan Vimeo Channel (https://vimeo.com/event/2470138) and Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary’s Facebook page (facebook.com/StCharlesSem/) beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Please contact Daniel Kearns with any technical concerns regarding the live stream coverage at 215-888-0305 (cell).
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Editor’s Note: If you would like to receive a photograph of Brother Withers, please contact the Office for Communications at 215-587-3747 or email [email protected].
Background on Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary
Founded in 1832, Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary has been forming men for priestly service in the Catholic Church for more than 193 years. With a current enrollment of 139 seminarians, Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary is one of the largest seminaries in the country. In 2024, the seminary relocated to Lower Gwynedd Township. The Lower Gwynedd campus helps to augment the seminary’s formation programs with updated technology, improved services, and modern facilities. For more information on Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, call 610-667-3394 or visit www.scs.edu, Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, Instagram or YouTube.
About the Catholic Charities Appeal
The Catholic Charities Appeal (CCA) is the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s single most important fundraiser, supporting nearly a million people each year through countless organizations and ministries across the Archdiocese. Since its founding in 1958, the Catholic Charities Appeal has remained steadfast in its mission to serve those in need throughout Philadelphia and the four surrounding counties – offering vital assistance and renewed hope to one in every five people in our region. Gifts made to the CCA provide essential support to beneficiaries grouped into five key areas: Social Services, Evangelization, Special Education, Mission Parishes, and Retired and Infirm Priests. To learn more or to support the Appeal, please visit www.catholiccharitiesappeal.org/.
Archdiocese of Philadelphia
ArchPhilly
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Contact:
Kenneth A. Gavin
Chief Communications Officer
215-587-3747 (office)