
Justin Ramza
Birthday | May 19 |
Ordination Year | 2024 |
Home Town | Streator, IL |
Home Parish | St John the Baptist Church, Rapids City, IL |
Undergraduate | Loyola University of Chicago, Chicago, IL (BA in Theology, minor in Philosophy and German) |
Graduate Degree | MA in Systematic Theology; MD in medicine |
Previous Career | Physician |
Languages | English, German |
Hobbies | Eastern Christianity (Catholicism and Orthodox ecumenism), Aikido, Aikijujitsu, DOGS |
Tidbit | I love dogs! I once had my own canine league of nations, with a Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, and Newfoundland. |
Favorite Saint | St. Luke, the physician evangelist; St Justin Martyr, St Justin deJacobis, St. Joseph |
Favorite Devotion | Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius Loyola |
Vocation Story | I was interested in the priesthood from a very young age, and first studied for the Peoria Diocese in 1988, as a seminarian at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, MD. I took a leave of absence during my diaconate year, and taught high school. With guidance from my brother, a cardiologist, I applied to, and was accepted into, medical school at the University of Illinois. I would practice medicine (Anesthesiology and Pain Management) for almost 25 years in the Rockford, IL area, until I would again feel the unmistakable draw to return and complete my seminary studies, this time, with a more refined internal compass and deeper sense of spiritual maturity. After almost 2 years of prayer and discernment, I applied to Peoria once again, which graciously accepted me. |
Priest Aspirations | Walking the ever-unpredictable journey with our Lord. |
How can Mundelein's donors and community pray for you? | Over the years, I have learned to never turn down help, from any source. All prayers are greatly appreciated. |