Justin Ramza 
Birth Date
May 19
Parish Location
St. John the Baptist, Rapids City
Year entered the Seminary/Class of
Entered in 2022, Class of 2025
Studying at
Mundelein Seminary
Why did you become a seminarian?
I heard the call to be a priest over 30 years ago. I went to seminary, but eventually left before being ordained, thinking I wasn’t ready for the commitment. The desire to be a spiritual father never left me. After a few decades of trying other things, I heard the Lord gently inviting me back to priesthood. Now I am ready for the commitment!
Before you entered the seminary, what were you doing?
I was a high school teacher for a while, was in the US Air Force, and ultimately went to Med School and became an
anesthesiologist (a medical doctor who helps prevent pain for people who are in surgery). As a hobby, I opened my own martial arts school next to my house and I taught classes in Aikido and Aikijujitsu.
An interesting fact about you:
I am a dog person, and had 3 of them at once: a Golden Retriever named Ben, a brown Newfoundland named Wookie, and a German Shepherd named Jedi Knight. Can you tell I am a Star Wars fan as well?