Youth Apostle Father Peter W. Nassetta was born June 28, 1959, in Alexandria to Francis and Laurette Nassetta.
He grew up in Annandale and graduated from Falls Church High School in 1977. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from George Mason University in Fairfax in 1982. After graduation, he worked for the National Pro-Life Political Action Committee as a lobbyist through 1983. He has been a member of Youth Apostles since college.
He studied three years of theology at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, and two years at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., 1987-89. His diaconate assignment was at St. John the Apostle Church in Leesburg.
He was ordained by Arlington Bishop John R. Keating May 20, 1989.
He served as parochial vicar of Good Shepherd Church in Alexandria, 1989-92; Queen of Apostles Church, Alexandria, 1992-93; and St. Bernadette Church in Springfield, 1993-94; before being named chaplain at Marymount University in Arlington in 1994, while in residence at St. James Church in Falls Church, 1995-99, and St. John the Beloved Church in McLean, 1999-2000. He served as chaplain and director of campus ministry at George Mason University in Fairfax, 2000-16; and as chaplain at the Catholic Campus Ministry at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, 2016-24.
