Ensign Anthony Lezcano at his Navy commissioning ceremony in October in the St. Joseph chapel. He holds a blessed icon of Servant of God Fr. Vincent Capodanno, who inspired his double vocation.

I am a second-year graduate seminarian studying for the Diocese of Seattle. A year ago, I applied to become a member of the United States Navy ["For God and Country," Winter 2010 Mosaic, p. 12]. On September 15, my dream became real when I was commissioned an Ensign in the Navy Chaplain Candidate Program.

The military permits having a commissioning ceremony after the actual commissioning. So, on October 22, my ceremony took place in the St. Joseph chapel of Sacred Heart Major Seminary. I recall the chapel was completely filled by my fellow seminarians, Sacred Heart staff and guests. I was blessed to share this occasion with so many people I have come to love and respect. Fr. Tim Hogan, a priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit and a retired Lieutenant Commander in the Navy Chaplain Corps, swore me in.

The event came together beautifully. My chaplain recruiter, Lieutenant Gregg Peters, began with the opening prayer, followed by me delivering a short testimony. Father Hogan shared a few words about the importance of military chaplains. He then blessed an icon of Navy Chaplain Fr. Vincent Capodanno, who died protecting a wounded Marine medic on a battlefield in Vietnam. Father Capodanno was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and his cause has been opened for canonization. He is the inspiration behind my vocations to the priesthood and the military.

Father Hogan recited the oath of a commissioned officer, and I repeated it phrase-byphrase, promising to uphold my duty to serve this great nation. After the swearing in, Father awarded me the National Defense Medal, which all military personal receive during a time of war for enlisting or being commissioned into the military. I knew I would receive this medal during my summer training, but it was a great surprise to receive it on this occasion.
Second Lieutenant Brian Wood, a seminarian for the Diocese of Lubbock who is training to become a chaplain with the Air Force, led the intercessory prayers. We prayed for the intentions of those serving in the military and for an increase in Catholic vocations to the military chaplaincy.

I know God will help me in my service and I offer him thanks and praise.