Joseph Moschetto was born Feb. 26, 1994, to Beth and Tom Moschetto. The youngest of the three grew up eating dinner together with his parents and older sisters, attending church on Sunday and playing lots of sports: basketball, soccer and lacrosse. He attended St. Theresa School in Ashburn and graduated from Seton School in Manassas in 2012. He and his family attended Our Lady of Hope Church in Potomac Falls.

While his family and education provided a “great foundation” for a life of faith, meeting Father James R. Searby, then a parochial vicar at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Lake Ridge, had a big impact on the future seminarian. “He was really on fire for his faith and that really inspired me to take it seriously, to figure out why this priest was so joyful,” said Moschetto.

The summer before he left for George Mason University in Fairfax, Moschetto was thinking about his future when something popped into his head. “What if you’re called to something greater?”

He continued to ponder the question while in school, studying conflict analysis and resolution. His sister was a senior at the time and she connected him with the school’s campus ministry. He started attending Bible study and other events they hosted.

In the fall of his sophomore year, he prayed the total consecration to Mary, which led to him to apply for seminary. “I sort of all of the sudden found the courage to go and to apply,” said Moschetto. “Grace from Our Lady was giving me that courage to keep going forward and to make that next step.”

Moschetto finished his degree at the St. John Paul II Seminary in Washington and currently is studying at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. He’s enjoyed living in a city full of history, beautiful churches and Catholics from around the world. “That’s been one of the greatest blessings, getting a new perspective on the unity of the church,” he said.

Moschetto will be ordained a transitional deacon by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge in the Cathedral of St. Thomas More June 1. He’ll then spend the summer serving at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Falls Church. He’s looking forward to what the future holds.

“It's been an unexpected journey,” said Moschetto. “I was really excited about going to seminary, I had all these ideas of what it was going to be like (but) the Lord has something so much better in store. It's been a great grace and learning experience to surrender your own expectations to somewhere you didn’t think you could go.”