On Feb. 10, Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila ordained two men to the transitional diaconate at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Both are studying to become priests at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary.
Get to know both of the Archdiocese of Denver’s newest deacons and learn about their respective paths to the priesthood by reading the short profiles below.
Blaise Buches 
What’s your hometown? What was your upbringing like?
I was born and raised in Lakewood, Colorado, the fourth of seven children. My upbringing consisted of a robust family life which included daily Mass, a daily Rosary, dinner together as a family, and so many other parts of daily life done together as a family. As soon as I received my first communion when I was six years old, I loved to serve at the altar and always wanted “to do what Father did.” My family would attend Sunday Mass at the Cathedral where I would either serve at the altar or sing in the children’s choir. We later made Holy Ghost our home parish and have been parishioners there for over 10 years. I was homeschooled through the beginning of high school at which point I went to California to attend St. Michael’s Preparatory High School which was run by the Norbertine Fathers in Orange County. After graduating high school, I entered the seminary, first attending Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis for two years for college seminary, then returning to Denver to St. John Vianney Seminary for the Spirituality Year and my philosophy and theology studies.
When did you discover that the Lord was calling you to be a priest?
The desire has been there in some way or another since I was six years old when I started to serve Mass, sometimes stronger, sometimes not as strong. It was during my junior year of high school when I was beginning to consider which college to attend that the thought of entering the seminary came to me as a real option. During the end of my junior year and into my senior year of high school, with the help of my spiritual director, I discerned that the Lord was calling me, pulling me slowly to Himself to live as a priest. The deciding moment was when I was going through the application process to enter college seminary and I prayed a holy hour at the Adoration Chapel at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Wheat Ridge; the hour was one of complete peace with the Lord.
As I have continued through the years of seminary formation I have learned to take as my own the beautiful lines from the Song of Songs: “I found him whom my soul loves. I held him and would not let him go,” and in a later chapter, “What is your beloved more than another beloved?… [H]e is altogether desirable.” This is the One for Whom I wish to give my life: the Lord of Heaven and earth who took on flesh, suffered death, was buried, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven, He who reigns now in glory and works still in the Church He established, Jesus Christ.
What are you most looking forward to about being a priest?
Above all else I am looking forward to administering the Sacraments, particularly through the celebration of the Holy Mass and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The Holy Mass has been the center of my life and has captivated my heart for many years, particularly in the richness of the liturgical year, the many and varied chants, and the text of the prayers of the Mass. So too in the experience of Reconciliation and the reception of forgiveness has my heart often times soared with great delight. And in all of the brokenness and darkness in the world, the confessional stands as a haven for souls, where they can lighten their burdens and receive the embrace of the Father who loves them dearly and fully forgives every sin.
Chesterton put it well when he said, “Let your religion be less of a theory and more of a love affair.” The Priesthood as union with and conformance to Christ has been just this for me and becomes more and more of a reality as I approach ordination. This has been the experience of seminary: a continual falling in love and transformation of heart and mind, and as I have experienced the love and mercy of Christ, so too do I wish to share the same with the Faithful of the Archdiocese of Denver and with any and all whom I am blessed to meet. I ask that you remember me in your prayers and pray for all priests!
Who are some saints/mentors/important figures that have helped you along in your vocation?
This is a difficult question. There are so many! Countless Saints have helped to deepen my prayer life and have set my heart on fire with love for our Lord through their writings, drawing me closer and closer to the Trinity and our Blessed Mother. If I had to pick, I would say the most influential Saints (after our Lady) have been the great Carmelite Saints (Sts. John of the Cross, Teresa, and Therese), St. John Vianney, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, and Blessed Columba Marmion. Each in his (or her) own way has formed a specific part of my heart and has become my special and dear friend.
I am also deeply grateful to some of the most wonderful priests whom I have met and befriended over the years. While there are many to whom I am grateful, the two who have helped to form me by their example and friendship in major ways are Father Samuel Morehead and Father Daniel Barron, OMV. To these two priests I am indebted and grateful beyond words, for their example of priestly life in all its dimensions, their love of our Blessed Lord and our Lady, and their friendship and assistance throughout my years in seminary.
Finally, one important figure (aside from St. John Vianney) who has had a great impact on my understanding and love of the priesthood, on my desire to give myself to the Church as a priest, and in general on my prayer life is Fulton Sheen, particularly through his book “The Priest is Not His Own”.
Jose Delgado 
What’s your hometown? What was your upbringing like?
I was born and raised in Greeley, Colorado to Mexican immigrants. I grew up steeped in Mexican culture. I lived on a farm outside the city for much of my childhood, so I spent my summers helping my dad on the farm and working outside. I am the oldest of 5, so I also grew up helping to take care of my young siblings. My upbringing was humble, but always had what I needed. I went to public school my entire life in a small farming town north of Greeley in Eaton, Colorado.
When did you discover that the Lord was calling you to be a priest?
I began to discover my all to the Priesthood when I was in high school, as I went through confirmation. My family had a sort of reversion to the faith while I was in middle school, so I began to foster my relationship with the Lord during this time. As I studied more about Jesus and the Church, I felt drawn to the priesthood, especially through learning about St. John Bosco. I attended a youth group and began to attend high school discernment retreats with a friend from youth group, and I continued to feel this desire to serve the Lord grow. While I was in college at Colorado State, I continued to be involved in campus ministry and continued attending discernment retreats and speaking to my home pastor and other priests about the vocation. I continued to feel drawn to seminary to discern my vocation more closely. I like to describe my calling as a God placing this desire in me and continually growing it in my heart as I continued to grow as a person and as I began to serve more through campus ministry and in my prayer, feeling a call to serve the Lord by serving His people through the sacraments.
What are you most looking forward to about being a priest?
I am looking forward to serving God by serving His people through the sacraments, especially that of Confession. I want to receive others into God’s mercy through this sacrament, and to bring Christ to them in a concrete way through the Sacrifice of the Mass as well. I also look forward to encountering people and to help them in their walk towards the Lord.
Who are some saints/mentors/important figures that have helped you along in your vocation?
Some saints that have helped me along the way are Our Blessed Mother, especially under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe. St. Joseph has also been instrumental in my vocation. St. John Bosco was also a huge inspiration for me, not just as a priest, but as a man who desired to encounter the troubled youth of his time. St. John Vianney was also very inspirational to me. My dad has also been a great mentor to me, teaching me how to be a man and a Christian, along with my mom, seeing his sacrifice and love for our family. My pastor growing up, Fr. Stephen Siebert, was also a great mentor as he inspired me in how he lived for his flock and helped me in the discernment process early on.
