Fr. Chris Bongato was born and raised in San Diego. His home parish is Mater Dei Catholic Church in Chula Vista. He went to college at UC Irvine and received a BA in English Literature and got an MBA in Film Producing from St. John Paul the Great University before entering the seminary. He first heard the call to the priesthood his third year of college, but it took him four years to accept the call the Lord was giving Him.
He was ordained as transitional deacon on December 17, 2022.
He was ordained to the priesthood on June 2, 2023
He is assigned as Parochial Vicar (associate pastor) at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church commencing on July 1, 2023