ERIE — James and Joseph Campbell are identical twins and on Friday night, their uncannily similar lives were scheduled to merge again as both were ordained as Roman Catholic priests at St. Peter Cathedral.

The 26-year-old Erie brothers said they always wanted to be priests, they used to play at saying Mass at home, using communion wafers they made from bread. They voluntarily went to 6:30 a.m. Mass each day growing up.

"It wasn't an obligation for us, but rather something we saw as cool," Joseph Campbell said.

Their parents, Dolores and John Campbell, named the boys — their 12th and 13th children — after their late pastor, Monsignor James Joseph Gannon, at St. Andrew Church.

A third priest was scheduled for ordination Friday, Marc Solomon of Clearfield. Officials for the Erie Diocese said they typically ordain about two or three priests each year.