Cardinal Frank Leo Ordains 4 Men to the Priesthood
On Saturday, May 9, four seminarians, having completed their years of formation, were ordained to the priesthood for service in the Archdiocese of Toronto. More than 1,200 Catholics, including 100 priests, deacons, religious, consecrated men and women along with the lay faithful, prayerfully supported the “Class of 2026” at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica in downtown Toronto.
Cardinal Frank Leo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto presided at the celebration, joined by Auxiliary Bishops of the archdiocese along with the voices of the world renowned St. Michael’s Choir School.
In his homily, Cardinal Leo spoke of the response to the call of Christ to “Come Follow Me” made by each of the ordinandi.
“These words were and still are, a radical and joyful invitation, to leave everything behind and begin a new life as a believer, a follower, a missionary disciple and witness to Christ on one hand; and on the other an icon of the same Lord and Saviour, a shepherd in The One Good Shepherd of the crucified and risen Jesus and a minister of the new and eternal covenant.”
The newly ordained include:
Rev. Matteo Bertozzi, 31, born in Brescia, Italy, the fourth of ten children raised in a deeply Catholic family. His early faith formation through his parents and the Neocatechumenal Way shaped his life, even as he developed interests in literature and theatre and imagined a future as a teacher or playwright. Fr. Bertozzi has been assigned to serve as the Associate Pastor at St. Wilfrid’s Catholic Church in North York.
Rev. Moonjun Alphonse Choi, 31, born in Daejeon, South Korea, and immigrated to Canada with his family in 2002. A gifted artist, he enrolled in a competitive arts program while also offering his time and talents as an altar server at St. Andrew Kim Catholic Church in North York. Inspired at a young age by St. John Paul II, he experienced the first stirrings of a vocation. Fr. Choi has been assigned to serve as the Associate Pastor at Merciful Redeemer Parish in Mississauga.
Rev. Matthew Steven Tuanquin Tulio, 28, a Toronto native and son of Filipino parents, grew up attending St. John XXIII Parish in North York. An accomplished student and musician, he pursued undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto, earning a double major in Neuroscience and Environmental Biology. Although his academic future appeared well‑defined, he sensed that God was calling him elsewhere. Fr. Tulio has been assigned to serve as the Associate Pastor at St. Patrick’s Parish in Mississauga.
Rev. Victor Manuel Valdés, 34, born in Toronto to parents from Central and South America and attended St. Aidan’s Parish in Scarborough. After graduating from Brébeuf College High School, he entered the workforce and also discovered through volunteering a desire to serve others more deeply. Fr. Valdés has been assigned to serve as the Associate Pastor at Blessed Trinity Parish in North York.
The newly ordained priests will take up their new parish assignments in late June 2026.
The Archdiocese of Toronto rejoices in the ordination of our newest priests and we continue to pray for all those who shepherd the faithful each day as well as those discerning a vocation to the priesthood or religious life.
