In a world inundated with greed, avarice, and obsession with fame and fortune, a middle-aged man, who has become a modern Saint Francis of Assisi by parting ways with his multimillion-dollar career in the US at the age of 40, donating his entire fortune to charity, looks forward to his ordination to the Catholic Priesthood in the Diocese of Fresno, California.
Advocatus Africa gathered that Scott-Vincent Borba, the co-founder of the multi-billion-dollar cosmetics brand e.l.f. Beauty, BORBA Inc., and Scott-Vincent Borda Inc., made this decision at the age of 42 and entered Saint Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, California, to discern his vocation.
Through Mother Mary to Mary’s Meals: Conversion, Call to Service
In a radical surrender, Borba, who credited his return to faith and his vocation to the glorious intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, left his career, sold his assets, and donated his entire fortune to charity, including organisations like Mary’s Meals.
Borba’s transition from a high-profile Hollywood esthetician to a seminarian was fueled by a lifelong spiritual tug and a eventual feeling of emptiness in his secular success.
He recalls a moment in the third grade during Mass when his mother asked if he wanted to be “the man in the robes.”
He describes seeing the priest’s robes “shimmering like glitter” and knowing then that God was placing a call on his heart.
Despite his massive success with e.l.f. and brands like Neutrogena, Borba describes his former life as “vapid” and “perverse,” stating he was “idolising himself” and the luxury of the Hollywood lifestyle.
Rev. Scott-Vincent Borba. Credit: I Love My Catholic Faith.
Ordination and Service in the Diocese of Fresno
The American former esthetician, model, singer, actor, and author of books on skin care and beauty was born on 23 June 1973 in the United States.
After liquidating his business holdings, Borba entered formal religious training to prepare for his new role.
He entered St. Patrick’s Seminary and University in Menlo Park, California, in 2021 and was ordained as a transitional deacon on June 21, 2025, at Saint Charles Borromeo Church in Visalia, California, by Bishop Joseph V. Brennan.
The priestly ordination of the former co-founder of the multi-billion-dollar cosmetic brand is scheduled to take place on May 23, 2026, in the Diocese of Fresno.
He will serve in the Diocese of Fresno, California, after a radical conversion that saw him walk away from his multimillion-dollar beauty career to pursue a religious life of service to God and humanity.
Editor’s Note: Featured photo is courtesy of Catholic Tradition & Evangelization.
