With God’s guidance: Jeffrey Ambreit to be ordained transitional deacon

Seminarian Jeffrey Ambreit-Quepons sings alongside fellow seminarians on August 4, 2024 at St. Mark Church. (NTC/Juan Guajardo)

Jeffrey Ambreit’s journey to the transitional diaconate — the last stage of formation before ordination to the priesthood — is a little different from what most young men experience.

The oldest of nine children born to the late Jeffrey Ambreit Sr. and Begonia Quepons, he entered the seminary in 2012 at the age of 19 after being home schooled.

“There were seminarians who spent their pastoral year at my church when I was a kid and their presence was very influential to me,” said the St. Mary of the Assumption parishioner, reflecting on his early thoughts of a vocation. “It encouraged me to start taking my faith more seriously.”

Ambreit began studying the saints, particularly Pope St. John Paul II, St. John Vianney, patron saint of parish priests, and St. Martin de Porres, a Dominican known for his unconditional love for people regardless of race or wealth.

“Their saintly lives really stood out to me,” the Fort Worth native added.

He also looked up to diocesan priest Father Robert Strittmatter.

“I admired his dedication, selflessness, joy, and good humor,” the seminarian said, praising the retired pastor. “His ministry made an impression on me.”

But, after earning a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy at St. Joseph Seminary and spending a year studying theology at the Theological College Seminary in Washington, D.C., Ambreit stepped away from formation in 2017.

“I left because of a combination of things and never planned to come back,” explained the 32-year-old who was originally slated for ordination to the priesthood in 2021. “It was part of my discernment process. I felt my life wasn’t going the way I originally planned and thought the priesthood wasn’t what God wanted for me.”

Hoping to gain more life experience, Ambreit worked for a construction firm handling computer tasks. During that five-year period, thoughts of the priesthood never left his mind. He remained in contact with his seminary classmates and maintained a friendly relationship with Bishop Michael Olson and the diocese.

“I was turning 30 and still didn’t like my life,” Ambreit said. “There was a need for priests, so I started praying and asked God for guidance.”

The calling to serve God and His Church sent him back to the Theological College seminary where he is earning a master of divinity degree and awaiting the next step in priestly formation. Bishop Olson will ordain Ambreit to the Sacred Order of the Diaconate on March 18 in his home parish, St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Fort Worth. Deacon Hector Salva will vest the new deacon in his stole and dalmatic.

“There was a transition when I came back to the seminary in 2023, but the diocese was welcoming,” observed the aspiring ordinand who is currently spending a pastoral year at All Saints Parish in Fort Worth with Father Tim Thompson, pastor. “As a deacon, I’m looking forward to helping in ministry with baptisms, blessings, and just being present to those in need.”

Preparing for ordination, the seminarian continues a personal devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows and both St. Teresa of Avila and St. Teresa of Lisieux. Ambreit is also open to sharing his unusual vocation story with others, especially young men discerning the priesthood.

“I always tell people to pray and be open to what God wants for you,” he said. “You don’t have to be perfect to enter the seminary. Don’t be afraid to try if you feel it’s right for you. The important thing is to just pray.”