May 24, 2024

(RICHMOND, Va.) – The Catholic Diocese of Richmond joyfully announces the Ordinations to the Priesthood of Deacon Seth Seaman, of Hampton, and Deacon David Arellano, of Rocky Mount. Bishop Barry C. Knestout will ordain them into the ministry of the priesthood, Saturday, June 1, at 10:30 a.m., in the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. The conferral of the sacrament of holy orders will be livestreamed on the diocesan YouTube channel and Facebook platform for those unable to attend in person.

Deacon David Arellano

Deacon David Arellano

Born in Orange, California, Deacon David Arellano, 26, moved to Rocky Mount, Va., in the third grade and felt a desire to join the priesthood even from a young age. Originally, he made plans to attend Hampden-Sydney College to become a high school chemistry teacher. However days after receiving his high school diploma from Franklin County, Deacon Arellano pursued the path to priesthood and accepted the offer to attend St. John Paul II Seminary in Washington, D.C.

In 2019, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree from The Catholic University of America and finished his formation at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md. In speaking about serving the Church Deacon Arellano said, “It’s not that I can’t see myself doing anything else. I cannot think of anything else that I would want to do.”

He will celebrate his first Mass as a priest, Sunday, June 2, at Pro-Cathedral of St. Peter, Richmond, at 10:45 a.m.

Deacon Seth Seaman

Deacon Seth Seaman

Deacon Seth Seaman had plans to pursue a career in design engineering after graduating from Old Dominion University. The 37-year-old Pennsylvania native’s life trajectory changed after he began his discernment journey to become a Methodist pastor. It was during this time, he felt called to the Catholic faith and eventually began studying at Theological College in Washington D.C.  Deacon Seaman who spent his adolescence in Hampton, said upon becoming a priest, “As the Lord’s evangelist, I want to be somebody who can speak the Lord’s goodness, truth and beauty into people’s lives…so they may be able to find a real life love relationship with him.” Deacon Seth Seaman will celebrate his first Mass as a newly ordained priest at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hampton, Sunday, June 2, at 11 a.m.

Both men shared their journey to the priesthood in our video series you can watch on our diocesan YouTube channel.

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