Brother Francisco Samuel Whittaker, O.S.B., from Beloved Disciple Parish, just earned his Master of Divinity degree from Saint Vincent College and Seminary and will be ordained to the priesthood on May 23. He is the son of Daniel and Kathleen Whittaker of Grove City, and received the Master of Divinity degree – summa cum laude – from Saint Vincent College and Seminary, Latrobe, at the 180th annual commencement on May 8. He also received the Demetrius R. Dumm, O.S.B., Sacred Scripture Award, which is given by the Scripture faculty to the student who most demonstrates excellence in the study of Sacred Scripture.

He previously received the Master of Arts degree in Catholic Philosophical Studies, summa cum laude, from Saint Vincent College and Seminary in 2022.

He attended Mother of Divine Grace School, graduating in 2015. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry in 2019 from Saint Vincent College, magna cum laude.

Brother Whittaker was ordained to the diaconate on May 24, 2025, and will be ordained to the priesthood on May 23.