Deacon Alexander Pumphrey, MIC, 32, has been assigned to the Divine Mercy Apostolate UK, joining Fr. Lukasz Mazurek, MIC.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, and a Catholic convert, he joined the Marian Fathers in 2018. Last February he was ordained to the transitional diaconate, and is expected to be ordained to the priesthood this year.
Deacon Alex takes up his new assignment in London on 1 June. We sat down with him to learn more about his background and new assignment.
Tell us about your background.
I come from a very eclectic family of four in Atlanta, Georgia. My Mom’s side is a patchwork quilt of spiritualities and religions: Jewish, Lutheran, Catholic, Episcopalian, and Taoist/Buddhist. My Dad’s side is staunchly Episcopalian. In fact, several of my family members are Episcopal priests, including my grandfather and my Dad.
Did you want to follow in your father’s footsteps?
My Dad had the biggest impact on my spiritual life. He modeled for me what it meant to be faithful to God, to love Scripture and prayer, and how to pursue a life of quiet and humble holiness.
I felt the call to priesthood as a sophomore in college. I wanted to follow in the holy footsteps of my family members and serve as an Episcopal priest, but was told I was “too Catholic” and too young. While working at Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School, my Catholic roommate prompted me to join the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA).
Tell us about your conversion.
I knew that God wanted me to become Catholic. Even before I joined the Church, I knew God was calling me to serve Him as a priest and religious, so I went to the one place where everyone goes to search for the answers to life’s biggest and deepest questions: the Internet. I looked around and discovered the Marians.
What attracted you to the Marian Fathers?
I found the Marian charism of praying for the dead and dying especially compelling. That really spoke to me. It’s also a part of the Anglican tradition in which I grew up and has always been close to my heart.
As I look back over my life and the various decisions and circumstances that led me to this point, the words of Mordecai as he spoke to his cousin Esther ring in my ears: “And who knows whether you have not come … for such a time as this?” (Est 4:14).
How do you feel about your new assignment?
To say I am excited is an understatement! It’s quite an adventure moving across the world and doing new things, meeting new people, a whole new mission. It’s really living out our charism to serve the Church where the need is greatest. And there’s a real movement going on in the Catholic Church in England right now, especially with more young people joining the Church.
It’s exciting to be serving in the U.K. at this moment in time, and I ask for everyone’s prayers that I am up to the job.
As a convert to Catholicism from Anglicanism, you seem particularly well suited for this assignment.
It sure is interesting: the former Anglican is the one to come to the U.K. Maybe the Lord brought me through my conversion journey so that I can maybe help other people with their own journeys.
My family has been very supportive since I became a Catholic and joined the Marians. There’s a mutual respect, especially with my Dad. He has great respect for Catholicism and works very closely with Catholic priests in the area. He especially respects the pro-life and pro-family stance, something the Episcopal Church does not officially support.
What are the biggest misconceptions people have about the Catholic Church?
I think it depends on whom you ask. With my family, the papacy is #1, followed by the Virgin Mary and the Saints, and of course certain sacramental issues. The whole issue of grace and merit is huge, with people asking, How much do we do and how much does God do? It’s all the questions of the Reformation, and it’s a conversation we’re still having 500 years later.
It’s interesting because, when I’m talking with my folks and my family, I obviously feel compelled to defend the Church. But there are a lot of things that we can actually learn from Protestant denominations like prayer, the love of Scripture, and a certain missionary zeal. We certainly see the fruits of that in the Anglican priests who have joined the Catholic Church through the Ordinariate, in the U.K. and in the U.S.
What are you most looking forward to in your new role?
Getting out there and meeting people of all ages and backgrounds, in parishes and schools. I enjoy preaching and giving retreats. I recently gave one to a group of nuns. I taught the Confirmation class in my parish, and it was great talking with the kids and explaining the faith. There’s a real need for adult education, and I enjoy engaging with older Catholics.
As a Marian, I have the two best “weapons” in my speaking “arsenal”: Our Lady and Divine Mercy. What more do you need, and what better starting points for a conversation? You can’t not have an opinion about Jesus or Mary, and you can never run out of things to say about them.
“Pumphrey” sounds English.
It is. My Dad is the expert on his side of the family. There are several competing theories. Pumphrey means “son of Humphrey” in Welsh, so we may hail from Wales. Another theory says we came over with William the Conqueror. Or there may be a connection with Pontefract Castle in Yorkshire. In any event, British blood runs in my veins! I’ve been to Europe but never to the U.K., so this is very exciting.
You proclaimed the Gospel on Divine Mercy Sunday last month at the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy in English and in Spanish. Are you fluent in Spanish?
Certainly not! I was in Argentina at our Marian mission for two months and I picked up enough to cause trouble, but not enough to solve anything. I’m working on learning the language better!
Do you drink tea?
I do, although I admit I drink more coffee these days. But I do like tea.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I really like to walk. It kind of keeps me sane. Don’t be surprised if you see me strolling around the neighborhood!
I like to listen to music, and read. My favorite book, which I re-read every year, is Watership Down by Richard Adams. My Dad read it to me when I was younger and it really captured my imagination. I like the story about this group of misfits and outcasts who struggle against the odds. There’s a mystical element, with practical wisdom and humor.
Contact Deacon Alex at info@divinemercy.org.uk
