Hawaii seminarian Preston-Jay Castro holds the processional cross for a Corpus Christi procession. (HCH file photo)
Preston-Jay Castro, a seminarian for the Diocese of Honolulu, has one of the hottest tickets on the papal tour this week — a seat inside the chambers of the U.S. House of Representatives for Pope Francis’ historic address to a joint meeting of Congress, Sept. 24.
U.S. Senator Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, selected Castro as his personal guest. Each member of Congress is allowed only one guest. Castro will also be with Sen. Schatz at the White House arrival ceremony for the pontiff Sept. 23.
In a Sept. 16 press release, Senator Schatz said he was “grateful for the opportunity to share that experience with my guest Preston-Jay, an incredible young man who is beginning a life dedicated to faith and service and in whom Hawaii may take great pride.”
The senator’s field and outreach staff learned about Castro, 21, through their work with community leaders. According to Michael Inacay, press secretary for Senator Schatz, the staff “found Preston’s life story to be inspiring.”
Castro was born and raised in Honolulu, a 2012 graduate of Waipahu High School. He began this fall his second year of studies at Mount Angel Seminary in Oregon. A parishioner of St. Joseph Church in Waipahu, Castro has been active in service to the community, the homeless and the church.
“The Lord has granted me, an unworthy servant who is being called to become a Shepherd for His Church, to this once in a lifetime experience of being in the presence of St. Peter’s successor, Pope Francis, in Washington D.C.,” Castro said in the press release.
“No words can describe how excited and thankful I am to Senator Brian Schatz for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this spiritual pilgrimage,” he added.
Catholic News Service reported in July that U.S. House members voted to limit the number of people allowed in the House Chamber during Pope Francis’ address, the first speech ever by a pontiff to a joint meeting of Congress.
Castro was among the short list of folks with a seat at the papal address, which included President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Supreme Court justices, current House officers, members of Congress, the librarian of Congress, architect of the Capitol and department heads.
The House Chamber has roughly 440 permanent seats; temporary seats are added for major events.
Former members of Congress, former House officers and chaplains were excluded from attending Pope Francis’ address, but were allowed access to a ticketed audience outside the Capitol for a telecast of the event.
