Cardinal Cupich ordained Conrad E. Espino, 27, from Manila, Philippines, Raymond J. Grieshaber, 38, from Evanston, and John Rahimi, 29, from Palatine, for the Archdiocese of Chicago on June 20, 2026, at Holy Name Cathedral, 735 N. State St., Chicago. Each newly ordained priest has completed at least six years of human, spiritual, academic and pastoral formation, which included an exhaustive study of philosophy, Catholic theology, the history of the church and pastoral practice. As part of their seminary education, future priests are assigned to work at parishes, schools and hospitals as they develop their capacity to be shepherds of God’s people. (Karen Callaway, Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
The ordinandi process in. Cardinal Cupich ordained Conrad E. Espino, 27, from Manila, Philippines, Raymond J. Grieshaber, 38, from Evanston, and John Rahimi, 29, from Palatine, for the Archdiocese of Chicago on June 20, 2026, at Holy Name Cathedral, 735 N. State St., Chicago. Each newly ordained priest has completed at least six years of human, spiritual, academic and pastoral formation, which included an exhaustive study of philosophy, Catholic theology, the history of the church and pastoral practice. As part of their seminary education, future priests are assigned to work at parishes, schools and hospitals as they develop their capacity to be shepherds of God’s people. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
The three candidates for priesthood – from right Conrad E. Espino, 27, from Manila, Philippines, Raymond J. Grieshaber, 38, from Evanston, and John Rahimi, 29, from Palatine -- stand in front of their families following the opening procession. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Family members of the candidates for priesthood clap as the men answer “present” to the cardinal calling their name. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Deacon John Rahimi, 29, from Palatine, makes his Promise of Obedience and Respect to Cardinal Cupich and his successors during his ordination to priesthood. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
The cardinal prays while the priest candidates lie prostrate. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
The ordinandi lie face down before the altar as the congregation prays the Litany of Supplication. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Cardinal Cupich lays his hands on Grieshaber. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Cardinal Cupich lays hands on Rahimi during the ordination. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Against a backdrop of priests, Cardinal Cupich prays the Prayer of Ordination over the newly ordained. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Father Joe Tito prepares to vest Espino as he kisses his stole. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Newly ordained Father Grieshaber receives congratulations during the kiss of peace. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Bishop Robert Fedek (right) and other auxiliary bishops offer the kiss of peace to Espino. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Father Cristian Garcia, who was ordained last year, congratulates Espino. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
The three new priests greet each other following the kiss of peace. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Cardinal Cupich anoints Grieshaber’s hands as Father John Kartje, rector and president, and Father Francis Bitterman, vice rector and dean of formation, both from University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary, look on. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Cardinal Cupich presents the chalice and patten to Espino. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
The newly ordained join Cardinal Cupich at the altar. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Father Sergio Rivas, pastor of St. Mary of the Lake Parish, prays during Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Grieshaber completes the Eucharistic Prayer. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Espino and Rahimi exchange the sign of peace. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
The men distribute Communion. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
The new priests Rahimi, Grieshaber and Espino offer their first blessing to Cardinal Cupich at the conclusion of Mass. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Espino, Grieshaber and Rahimi process out of Mass. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Rahimi receives a congratulatory hug from his mother, Elizabeth. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Grieshaber offers a first blessing to his mother, Patricia Grieshaber, while his father looks on. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Espino shares a hug with his mother, Jonabel. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Espino holds 2-week-old Fatima Estrada as her mother, Lupita, and father, Andrew, look on. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
