Peoria Vocations

Everyone is called to something. What's your calling?

Catholic Diocese of Peoria : Office of Priestly Vocations
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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?

Peoria Vocations

Peoria Vocations