For the past eight years, Fr. Escalante has served as the Pastor of St. Joseph Cathedral. Born and raised in San Diego, Fr. Escalante graduated from University High School and then entered St. Francis College Seminary at the University of San Diego, where he graduated in 1974. He continued in priestly formation at St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park and was ordained to the priesthood in 1978. After ordination, he completed graduate studies in spirituality at Duquesne University.

Fr. Escalante has served as Secretary to Bishop Maher, Director of Vocations, and Director of the Office for Ministry to Priests; he was also a member of the faculty of St. Francis College Seminary.

Prior to his appointment as Pastor of St. Joseph Cathedral in 2007, Fr. Escalante had served as Pastor of Santa Sophia Parish in Spring Valley, St. Brigid Parish and St. Charles Borromeo Parish in San Diego.