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Staff Sergeant Colton Sabala is at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Boise. (Courtesy photos/Colton Sabala) By Emily Woodham Staff Writer Staff Sgt. Colton Sabala spent six years away from the Christian faith. “From the time I was 20 until I was 26, I wasn’t really anything,” he said. “I call it my ‘Jonah experience.’ I was totally swallowed by the whale. I was telling Christ, ‘I don’t want you. I’m doing good without you,’ but God had different plans for me.” Colton was born and raised in Twin Falls. His family attended a Baptist church until he was 6, when they switched to an evangelical, nondenominational church. He continued in his faith through high school. On Jan. 3, 2012 he enlisted in the Army National Guard. “Of my choices I wanted to specialize in, they told me I had to choose chaplain assistant or something else,” Colton recalled. “They told me that a chaplain assistant was essentially a bodyguard of the chaplain, and I’d do all kinds of exciting security detail work like the Secret Service. It turned out that you’re only a bodyguard in heavy combat zones.” He then added with a chuckle, “I’ve done none of that in terms of being ‘a bodyguard.’ In all reality, it’s been a ton of real-world ministry in the community and organizations. It’s been good, and fruitful even during my estrangement. The Chaplain Corps gave me a sense of belonging when I felt like I had little to grasp onto.” About two years into his service with the National Guard, his church faced a scandal. “It was pretty cataclysmic, and I lost my faith,” he said. “I was putting my faith in the people of the church instead of in Christ.” As a result, Colton felt completely lost and betrayed. He found it hard, or nearly impossible, to put his faith into anything more than secular science. During the time of his estrangement, he faced many challenges, including social acceptance, identity, substance abuse and grief. People close to Colton often reiterated to him that his personal journey that led him to estrangement was so close to the story of Jonah. He was closer to God than he realized, and all the while his testimony was bringing others to Christ. No matter how far Colton thought he had distanced himself from God and the church, he had always felt comfort in St. Edward Catholic Church in Twin Falls. There was a spiritual calm that came over him when he was near St. Edward’s. One encounter truly scared him. While scrolling through his phone, he found a video of himself praying fervently to Christ and singing worship songs outside a parish. What troubled him most was that he had no memory of recording it or how it ended up on his phone. Colton is with Father Germán Osorio, rector at the Cathedral. (Courtesy photos/Colton Sabala) Despite unbelief, he continued as a chaplain assistant. It was the only line of work at which he felt he was good. It provided him comfort as he helped the soldiers of the units he served. He felt convicted to help others find what was important to them. Toward the end of 2017, before his second deployment to the Middle East, his first sergeant had an honest conversation with him that would later be the catalyst for his conversion. Colton recalled, “He said he was concerned about me. I asked him, ‘Why?’ I did what I was told to do, I loved my job and supported the soldiers. I gave the soldiers whatever they needed without question, and this was the only thing that gave me gratification and peace of mind. But my first sergeant said, ‘Yeah, but you’re not doing anything for yourself. If this job is your true passion, I’d like to see you be more religious or spiritual.’ It seemed like an oxymoron that I was working in the Chaplain Corps at that very moment.” Colton was very taken aback by what his first sergeant had bluntly told him. “It really bothered me for a long time. Whether I realized it or not, that was the whale spitting me out, so to speak, and it wasn’t a nice landing; most people would land on their rear end, but I landed straight on my neck. I had to ask myself why I was bothered so much by what he said and if I truly belonged working in ministry.” He had more than a year to think about it while in the Middle East. This was where God truly started to work in his life. Being so far from home, he began to discover the true person God had created him to be. Colton realized it was exhausting living as an agnostic. “In my estrangement from God, I had to learn a lot about religion to defend my agnostic beliefs,” he said. In July 2020, when he began working full time at Gowen Field in Boise, he began to humble himself to God’s plan. “I began dabbling in Christianity, but I wasn’t sure if it was going to stick.” Two years later, the Chaplain Corps conducted baptism training at Hidden Lake near McCall. “My state chaplain is a father figure to me, and he was a real thorn in my side about needing to be a better guy,” Colton said. He felt the urge to be baptized and knew that he could no longer distance himself from Christ, but he wasn’t sure where to go next. “I had such a bad experience in the church I went to when I was 19 that I knew I didn’t want to go back to a non-denominational church. I just wanted a relationship with Christ.” However, he found it difficult to live out his new Christian faith. “I knew I needed community and accountability, but I didn’t know where I could place my trust. I told God that He really needed to help me out. I asked Him to give me three signs so that I would know what to do. I received way more than three, and fast.” Of the many signs that God gave Colton, these were the most profound: after praying for God’s help, one of the first signs was realizing how often he felt compelled to go to St. Edward Church for comfort. Another sign was through Father Germán Osorio, rector of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Boise. He was also a chaplain at Gowen Field. One of their in-depth conversations revealed two signs: a coincidental conversation about hypocrites, which ended up being the liturgy for the very next day’s weekday Mass. Also discovering that he had seen Father Osorio as a young seminarian at St. Edward’s when Colton was growing up in Twin Falls. near St. Edward Church and often The most powerful sign came during a foot-washing ceremony he took part in with the Chaplain Corps during the summer of 2025. A chaplain candidate, with whom he had grown close and who was Catholic, washed his feet. “I was raised that strong men don’t cry, and I tried my best not to cry. But the ceremony was just so powerful. I couldn’t help it. I thought, ‘OK, God, You are really pushing this Catholic thing.’” For a second time, he felt the Holy Spirit flow directly through him, from the bottom of his feet to the hairs on his head. At that moment it was clear to him that he needed to become something larger than himself, and after more than a half-decade of praying, he chose to pursue the Catholic faith. Colton began OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) classes in October 2025 with Father Osorio. He received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist from Bishop Peter Christensen at the Cathedral this year during the Easter Vigil. “I have felt so welcomed by the Catholic Church, and I am so grateful that I can receive the Eucharist. I am home.” His favorite Catholic devotion is the rosary. “I learned the mysteries by heart in the first few days of being a catechumen,” he said. “I carry a rosary with me everywhere and pray it every day; sometimes multiple times a day.” In gratitude for the Catholics in the military who helped inspire him on his journey, he ordered rosary kits for soldiers from Combat Rosaries for Heroes, a Wisconsin-based Catholic nonprofit organization founded by Father Richard Heilman. He hoped to revitalize the Catholic community among his ranks and promoting his devotion to God and the rosary. “I just really appreciate Father Osorio and everyone who has been a part of the process and made an impact on my life, and I credit all things in my life to our Lord Jesus Christ. He is risen,” Colton said.

Father Caleb Vogel, vicar general for the Diocese of Boise, blesses Cathleen Wonacott and Tyler Tackett during their marriage vows. (Courtesy photo/Starr Photo & Video) By Marco Roman, PhD Director of Communications “The two sacraments, Holy Orders and Matrimony, are directed towards the salvation of others; if they contribute as well to personal salvation, it is through service to others that they do so. They confer a particular mission in the Church and serve to build up the People of God.” (CCC 1534) The Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church describe Holy Orders and Matrimony as the two sacraments “at the service of communion and mission.” This description is profoundly important for understanding both the life of the Church and many of the spiritual and cultural battles we face today. These sacraments are not merely private realities or personal lifestyle choices. They are sacramental vocations given by God for the building up of the Body of Christ, the sanctification of souls and the mission of evangelization. Dr. Marco Roman For this reason, it should not surprise us that these two sacraments have become particular targets of confusion, dissent and ideological pressure in our own age. Whenever God establishes something beautiful, life-giving and ordered toward truth, the “father of lies” (Jn 8:44) seeks to distort it. From the beginning, the evil one has attempted to undermine God’s design for human life, marriage, sexuality, family and the sacramental life of the Church. What we are witnessing today is not simply a disagreement over policy or practice, but a deeper spiritual struggle over the meaning of the human person, the nature of Divine Revelation and the authority of Christ and His Church. The Church teaches clearly and definitively that Holy Orders is reserved to baptized men. This teaching is not based on cultural prejudice, discrimination or historical limitation, but on the example and will of Christ Himself. Jesus freely chose twelve men as His Apostles, even while elevating the dignity of women in ways radically countercultural for His time. The Church has always understood herself as bound by the example and intention of Christ. As St. John Paul II taught in Ordinatio Sacerdotalis, “the Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women.” This teaching belongs to the constant and universal tradition of the Church and cannot be changed. Likewise, the Church teaches that Matrimony is the lifelong covenant between one man and one woman ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of children. This is not merely a religious custom or ecclesiastical rule. Marriage is rooted in creation itself. “Male and female He created them” (Gen 1:27). The complementarity of man and woman reflects God’s design and reveals something sacred about love, communion, fruitfulness and the covenant between Christ and His Church. In recent years, many voices both outside and within the Church have argued that true inclusion, compassion or welcome requires changing the Church’s teachings regarding same-sex unions, human sexuality or the nature of ordained ministry. Yet authentic charity can never be separated from truth. To alter the perennial teachings of the Church in order to conform to prevailing cultural ideologies would not be an act of mercy, but a departure from the Gospel entrusted to the Church by Christ Himself. Too often today, fidelity to Church teaching is portrayed as harsh, rigid or lacking compassion. Yet the opposite is true. Clarity is charity. Love demands truth. Jesus Himself proclaimed difficult teachings not to condemn, but to save. The Church cannot abandon Divine Revelation in order to gain cultural approval. She is called instead to proclaim the truth with courage, humility, patience and genuine pastoral love. The attack upon these two sacraments ultimately strikes at the heart of communion and mission within the Church. If Holy Orders is redefined according to modern ideological categories, the Church’s sacramental understanding of the priest acting in persona Christi Capitis becomes obscured. If Matrimony is redefined apart from God’s design, the family — the domestic church and foundational cell of society — is weakened. In both cases, the unity of the Church suffers, confusion spreads among the faithful and the Church’s mission to evangelize is hindered. Holy Orders and Matrimony are not isolated teachings disconnected from the Gospel. They are part of the Church’s sacramental vision of salvation history and reveal God’s plan for humanity. Priests are called to embody sacramentally Christ the Priest, Prophet and King in service to His people through preaching, sanctifying, shepherding, sacrifice and pastoral charity. Husbands and wives are called to reflect the faithful, fruitful and sacrificial love of Christ and His Church. Both vocations are ordered toward communion, holiness and mission. Our world desperately needs the witness of faithful priests, holy marriages, strong families and courageous disciples who are willing to stand firmly within the truth handed down by Christ and safeguarded by His Church. This is not a time for silence, ambiguity or surrender to cultural pressure. It is a time for clarity, conviction and renewed confidence in the wisdom of God’s plan. This confidence in God’s design has been echoed recently by Pope Leo XIV during his apostolic journey to Spain. Speaking to young people, the Holy Father encouraged them not to succumb to the fears and uncertainties of contemporary culture, reminding them: “Marriage is also a vocation. Do not be afraid of marriage or of forming a family.” In a world increasingly tempted to view marriage and family life as burdens or merely social constructs, Pope Leo pointed instead to their beauty and missionary significance. His words serve as a timely reminder that strong families built upon the foundation of marriage between one man and one woman remain the cradle of faith, the first school of love and virtue, and an indispensable foundation for the life, communion and mission of the Church and society. Indeed, the future of both the Church and civilization depends in no small measure upon strong families rooted in the covenant of Matrimony and open to the gift of life and the faithful transmission of the Gospel to future generations. All Catholics are called to bear witness courageously to the truth of the Gospel, but this responsibility rests in a particular way upon those entrusted with teaching, catechesis, pastoral ministry, theological formation and leadership within the life of the Church. Now is not the time for fear, silence, ambiguity or reluctance regarding the Church’s perennial teachings on Holy Orders, Matrimony and human sexuality. Rather, the Church needs joyful, faithful and confident voices willing to proclaim clearly the wisdom and beauty of God’s plan with both conviction and authentic compassion. Those entrusted with the sacred responsibility of teaching in the name of the Church must do so in communion with the Church. Charity and pastoral sensitivity can never be separated from fidelity to the truth. At times, genuine fraternal correction may also be necessary within the life of the Church when half-truths and outright dissent cause confusion, mislead the faithful or foster division within the Body of Christ and the unity of the Church. Those who have accepted the vocation to teach on behalf of the Church should prayerfully and honestly seek to conform both mind and heart to the teachings entrusted to the Church by Christ Himself. If one finds oneself unable to teach these truths faithfully and clearly, integrity and ecclesial communion may require stepping away from such a sacred responsibility rather than contributing to confusion regarding teachings that belong to the Deposit of Faith and the unity of the Church. Christ Himself reminds us, “Much will be required of the person entrusted with much” (Lk 12:48), a sobering reminder that those entrusted with teaching the faith carry a sacred responsibility before God and will one day be called to give an account for whether they fulfilled that vocation with fidelity, courage, clarity and love. At the same time, the Church always extends her invitation with love and hope. Every person is loved by God and called to conversion, holiness and communion with Christ. The Church welcomes all people not by abandoning truth, but by leading souls toward the freedom that comes from living in the truth revealed by Jesus Christ. As Catholics, all of us are called to examine our hearts and minds carefully. Before dismissing or undermining the perennial teachings of the Church regarding Holy Orders, Matrimony and human sexuality, we should ask ourselves an honest question: Do we trust the wisdom of God more than the changing ideologies of the age? Christ promised that the Holy Spirit would guide His Church into all truth (Jn 16:13). That promise remains true today. Now more than ever, the Church must proclaim clearly, courageously and joyfully the beauty of God’s unchanging plan. For when communion is protected, mission flourishes. And when truth is proclaimed in love, the world encounters not oppression, but the saving freedom of Jesus Christ.

Diocese of Boise In thanksgiving to Almighty God for the witness and holiness of Saint Francis of Assisi, and mindful of the observance of the Year of Saint Francis commemorating the eight-hundredth anniversary of his death; Recognizing the spiritual benefits that arise from pilgrimage, prayer, participation in the Sacred Liturgy, Eucharistic devotion, and the reception of the Sacraments; Desiring to provide the faithful of the Diocese of Boise with a designated place of pilgrimage during the Year of Saint Francis and to foster devotion to Our Lord in the Most Holy Eucharist through the witness and ministry of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist; Therefore, by virtue of my office as Bishop of Boise and in accord with the norms of canon law, I hereby decree the following: Article I The chapel and grounds of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist Community in Pocatello, Idaho, are hereby designated as an Official Pilgrimage Site for the Year of Saint Francis in the Diocese of Boise. Article II The Christian faithful are encouraged to visit this pilgrimage site throughout the Year of Saint Francis for prayer, participation in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, meditation upon Sacred Scripture, reception of the Sacrament of Penance, and devotion inspired by the life and example of Saint Francis. Article III Pastors, chaplains, schools, religious communities, and other ecclesial organizations within the Diocese are encouraged to organize pilgrimages to this site during the Year of Saint Francis so that the faithful may grow in holiness and deepen their communion with Christ and His Church. Article IV Pilgrims are encouraged to offer prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father, for the needs of the universal Church, for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life, and for the people and ministries of the Diocese of Boise. Article V The Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist Community shall collaborate with the Diocese of Boise in providing opportunities for prayer, catechesis, and spiritual enrichment so that pilgrims may receive abundant spiritual fruit from their pilgrimage. Article VI This designation shall take effect on July 1st, 2026 and shall remain in force for the duration of the Year of Saint Francis, concluding on January 10th, 2027, unless otherwise extended or modified by the Bishop of Boise. All things to the contrary notwithstanding. Given at the Chancery of the Diocese of Boise on this 12th day of June, in the Year of Our Lord 2026.

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