The lengthy lobby of Cathedral of the Holy Spirit was teeming with people. Parishioners and priests smiled, laughed and embraced.

The large crowd, which nearly filled the church, gathered to witness the ordination of two brothers on the same day, a first for the Diocese of Bismarck.

On June 28 at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Bishop Paul A. Zipfel ordained the Rev. Joshua Karol Waltz, 27, as a Roman Catholic priest, and his brother Justin Patrick Waltz, 30, as a deacon, a prerequisite for becoming a priest. "This is kind of a milestone for the diocese," Joshua Waltz said.

The ordination ceremony brought together people from different Christian denominations.

"(The ordination) is a chance for the Christian, Catholic community to really celebrate God's love," Justin Waltz said.

As far as the Waltz brothers are concerned, their ordination is not extraordinary.

It is natural for brothers to answer God's call. After all, the first four apostles, Simon Peter and Andrew, and James and John, were sets of brothers. Also, there are several sets of brothers in the diocese, they said.

"They just can't wait to be priests," Marge Grosz, editor of Dakota Catholic Action said. "They are two very, very fine young men."

"There was kind of a breaking point, when the Lord called both of us," Joshua Waltz said.

During his senior year at St. Mary's Central High School in Bismarck, Joshua Waltz was influenced by two priests, the Revs. Austin Vetter and Thomas Richter, who helped lay the foundation for his vocation.

Vetter and Richter also encouraged Justin Waltz to "come and see" if the seminary was right for him.

Justin Waltz had completed his first year of the University of North Dakota nursing program when he decided to change course and become a priest.

Like Vetter and Richter, the Waltz brothers hope to encourage young men and women in the community to open their hearts to God.

Joshua Waltz will serve as parochial vicar at Christ the King Church in Mandan. He also will teach courses at St. Mary's Central High School.

Justin Waltz will return to the Pontifical College Josephinium in Columbus, Ohio, for his final year in seminary education.

Justin Waltz will be assigned to a Bismarck Diocese parish after he is ordained a priest next year. "Anywhere I go, I will be happy," he said.

The brothers thank God for the Diocese of Bismarck and the people of North Dakota.

"We're going to have two great priests in these young men," Grosz said.

To read the Waltz brothers' personal accounts of their journeys to ordination, see the June 20 issue of Dakota Catholic action or visit http://bismarckdiocese.com.

They are the sons of Herbert Waltz and Theresa Waltz, of Cathedral parish in Bismarck.

(Reach reporter Alyssa Schafer at 250-8264 or alyssa.schafer@;bismarcktribune.com.)