Father Levi Hartle

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Fr. Levi Hartle, ordained four years ago, is a priest of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Before Fr. Levi was born, he was consecrated to the Lord by his mother. As a child, he was brought up in Christ and says that he “fell in love with Jesus during my teenage years.” One day, as he was praising the Lord, he realized that he really meant the words he was singing. He really was in love with God! At the age of 18, God spoke clearly to him through one of the most profound prophetic words he has ever experienced, and from that day on, he knew he would serve God as his priest!

 

After Fr. Levi’s calling to the priesthood, he went to college to study music so that he could use his musical gifts for the Lord as a priest. Directly after graduating from Grove City College with a degree in music education, he entered St. Paul Seminary in Pittsburgh. After receiving a Masters in Philosophy from Duquesne University, he entered Theological College and studied at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where he received Bachelor of Sacred Theology and Master of Divinity degrees. He says that he will be forever grateful for the education and formation that he received there.

 

During Fr. Levi’s fifth year of formation, he was privileged to attend the Institute of Priestly Formation (IPF) in Omaha, Nebraska. This experience introduced him to Ignatian Spirituality and deepened his involvement and understanding of discernment. Inspired by a powerful encounter with Jesus Christ during IPF, he went on a 30 day Ignatian retreat right before his Diaconate ordination.

 

Fr. Levi says that ordination to the Diaconate was like getting married! On that day, Fr. Levi says that “I made a commitment to Christ and His Church, and they made a commitment to me. It was so beautiful.” The next year when he was ordained a priest, he says that it was as if he received thousands of children all at once! He says that it was amazing and overwhelming at the same time!

 

As a priest, Fr. Levi’s favorite activity is to bring the people of God into the life of the Trinity through the Sacraments! A close second, he says, is teaching people how to enter into the mystery of God through prayer, praise, and worship!

 

Fr. Levi shares that “Recently God has been increasing my faith and teaching me all about the charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit! I look forward to sharing my experience of God with you!”