From Opera Singer to Catholic Priest INTERVIEW - Rev. Michael Magiera

About this sermon

Former opera singer is now pastor at Rockdale church The Rev. Michael Magiera has sung onstage and for God Michael W. Magiera began his career with Michael Korn and The Philadelphia Singers in 1976. Then, for most of the 1980s, Magiera performed in Europe as part of a German touring opera company. When he returned to the United States – homesick and missing his family – Magiera found work singing for churches of various denominations – as well as synagogues – which many professional singers do, he said. Eventually, his childhood dream of becoming a priest resurfaced. The Latin Mass, which Magiera preferred, was “making a comeback.” So in 1998, Magiera entered Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary, the house of study and formation for the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter. Magiera was ordained in 2005. As a member of the fraternity, Magiera is not a diocesan priest, but he may serve in parishes with the local bishop’s blessing. St. Joseph’s also offers an English Mass at 4:15 p.m. Saturdays for parishioners who prefer it.