Deacon Michael Dion, from Enumclaw, will be ordained to the order of priesthood during a 10 a.m. ceremony June 25 in St. James Cathedral in Seattle.

The following day, June 26, the Rev. Dion will celebrate his first Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Enumclaw. In attendance will be priests, deacons, parish organizational groups, friends, parishioners and family members, including parents Howard and Mary Anne Dion of Enumclaw.

The June 25 ordination will be by the Most Rev. J. Peter Sartain, archbishop of Seattle. During a public reception that follows, four newly-ordained priests will give their first blessings.

Deacon Dion graduated from Enumclaw High School in 2006, having also earned an associate’s degree from Green River Community College. He was active in band and sports, as well as his church youth group, having become acquainted with missionary work during a youth group trip to Mexico.

He then attended the University of Washington where he studied communication arts and was active at the Catholic Newman Center. It was during his college years that his desire to serve the church took shape.

Following college, he applied to the archdiocese of Seattle to enter the seminary and, upon acceptance, was sent to Mt. Angel Seminary in Oregon. There, he studied philosophy for two years, before being transferred to Pontifical North American College in Rome. During the past four years in Rome, he has studied theology at Gregorian University and the St. John Paul II Institute. Also, as part of his education, he traveled to various countries, including a visit to the Holy Land on pilgrimage.

Following ordination, the Rev. Dion will return to Rome to finish his studies. After receiving the ecclesiastical licentiate degree, his first assignment will be at the discretion of the archbishop.