Father Jacob Wessel spoke with Eli Filer of St. Lawrence Parish and Leo Gegg of St. Phillip and James Parish about animals and life Saturday, July 8, 2023, at Ste. Genevieve Fairgrounds in Ste. Genevieve , Missouri. Growing up, Wessel attended similar 4-H programs in Troy, where he raised chickens for the local fair.
Fr. Jacob Wessel was one of five men ordained into the priesthood May 7. Fr. Wessel settled into his new appointment as an associate pastor of three parishes in Ste. Genevieve County. The role was extended to three parishes as part of the All Things New strategic pastoral planning initiative in the Archdiocese of St. Louis.
Wearing his camo hat and Roman Collar, Fr. Wessel made his presence known in Ste. Genevieve, a town of approximately 5,000 residents, throughout his first days as a priest.
Published in the St. Louis Review
Story by Jack Figge
Photography by Trenton Almgren-Davis
Allen Boedeker, Jacob Braun, Jacob Wessel Ryan Quarnstrom and Joshua Deters laid prostrate during the priest ordination Saturday, May 27, 2023, at Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis in St. Louis, Missouri.
Jacob Wessel gave a first blessing to Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski following his ordination Saturday, May 27, 2023, at Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis in St. Louis, Missouri.
The setting sun glistens on the windows of Ste. Genevieve church Saturday, July 8, 2023 in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.
Father Jacob Wessel ran with the Valle Catholic cross country team Monday, July 3, 2023, along the train tracks to the ferry port in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. "We are thrilled to have Father Wessel," Samer Zoughaib, Valle Catholic Cross Country Coach said. "He will be the spiritual guide of the cross country crew."
Father Jacob Wessel prepped for Mass in the sacristy Monday, July 3, 2023, at Ste Genevieve Parish in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.
Father Jacob Wessel gave a first blessing to Sister Bernadette Maria of The Dominican Sisters of St. Cecelia and her mother Debra Donze of St. Agnes & St. Lawrence Parish in Bloomsdale after morning Mass Monday, July 3, 2023, at Ste Genevieve church in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.
Father Jacob Wessel drove through town Monday, July 3, 2023, in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.
Father Jacob Wessel spoke with Darlene Winch of Sacred Heart in Ozora while grocery shopping Monday, July 3, 2023, at the Country Mart in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.
Father Jacob Wessel visited the home of Olive Kraus who lives in a historic school house Monday, July 3, 2023, in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.
Olive Krause showed Father Jacob Wessel her bee problem in her historic schoolhouse home Monday, July 3, 2023, in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.
Father Jacob Wessel prayed the Liturgy of the Hours Saturday, July 8, 2023, in the rectory chapel in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.
Father Jacob Wessel blessed his meal before dinner with missionaries from Totus Tuus including seminarian Joseph Meier, seminarian Benjamin Eusterbrock and Nick Baggatti of Queen of All Saints Parish in Oakville Saturday, July 8, 2023, at Sirro's in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.
Father Jacob Wessel talked with Camryn Skaggs of St. Genevieve parish while she worked at Sara's Ice Cream shop Monday, July 3, 2023 in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.
Father Jacob Wessel spoke with Jenna Kuehn and Justin Keuhn of Ste. Genevieve parish and their niece Keely Fallert from Kansas City as Justin Keuhn cooled down the pigs Saturday, July 8, 2023, at Ste. Genevieve Fairgrounds in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. The Kuehn's son Sam Keuhn raised the Grand Champion Market Hog in the 4-H exhibition.
Father Jacob Wessel walks through Ste Genevieve Monday, July 3, 2023.