First Mass of Fr. Zachary Akers, FSSP

Fr. Zachary Akers, FSSP, recently ordained a priest by Bishop James Conley, offered his First Mass the next day, June 15, in the parish of St. John the Baptist in Front Royal, Virginia. Father’s Assistant was Fr. Josef Bisig, FSSP, Rector of Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary, while Fr. Matthew McNeeley, FSSP, assisted as deacon and Fr. John Brancich, FSSP, assisted as subdeacon. The Mass was offered in the presence of His Excellency, the Most Reverent James Conley.

Fr. Zachary Akers is the fourth of six children born into a very Catholic family in Woodbridge, Virginia.

He was fortunate to attend Catholic schools for all of his academic formation – St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School in Woodbridge, Seton High School in Manassas, and a Bachelor of Arts from Christendom College, in Front Royal, Virginia.

Father is grateful to God for the grace of a priestly vocation, which was certainly fostered by loving and pious parents, very supportive siblings, good priestly examples, and a very active involvement in parish life as an altar server and member of the parish choir. This love for liturgy and sacred music continued throughout college years and afterwards, thereby also preparing a firm groundwork for his future priestly ministry.

Father’s recreational interests are playing a variety of sports and several instruments. He is very appreciative for all of his family, friends, and professors who have been generous and very influential in forming him, and asks that all please continue to pray for him.