Three men with roots in three different countries were ordained priests by Archbishop Rembert G. Weakland, O.S.B., on May 19 at the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist in Milwaukee.

Todd Budde, 31, of Beaver Dam, Wis.; Javier Bustos, 34, of Venezuela; and Oriol Regales, 29, of Spain represent a more diverse and older class of priest candidates than those of a decade ago. Bustos and Regales speak fluent English and Spanish.

"In our global world, universal Church and in an increasingly diverse diocese, being served by people of various countries represents a new, very positive reality," says Rev. Bob Stiefvater, archdiocesan vocations director.

Regales says, "We are called to be part of the local church. At the same time, we are asking others to be part of the universal Church." Bustos adds, "We are all part of the Church orchestra."

Recent U.S. Census data shows that the Hispanic population of southeastern Wisconsin has nearly doubled in many areas. For example, in Milwaukee County, the Hispanic community grew from 4.7 percent of the population in 1990 to 8.8 percent of the population in 2000.

Their ordination helps the archdiocese meet a growing need for bilingual, especially Spanish-speaking priests, in the 10-county where the Hispanic Catholic population in southeastern Wisconsin has grown by 88 percent from 1990 to 2000.

The three priests also represent a national trend of young men who choose priesthood after having pursued other careers.

Budde has a bachelor's degree in history; Bustos is a former university professor and journalist; and Regales was a youth volunteer and social worker.

"Many of today's priest candidates choose priesthood after finding another career paths unfulfilling," said Rev. Stiefvater. "After reaching a career goal, they find it empty or so much less than they expected."

The last time the archdiocese ordained three men was in 1995.

The three new priests are assigned to begin service on June 19 at the following parishes:

• Rev. Budde at St. Roman Parish, Milwaukee
• Rev. Bustos at St. Mark Parish, Kenosha
• Rev. Regales at St. Mary Parish, Kenosha

In 2000, Rev. Martí Colom was ordained to the priesthood. There are currently 21 seminarians in graduate studies and eight seminary undergraduate students preparing for priesthood at Saint Francis Seminary.