Reverend Michael Nugent

Pontifical North American College
University of Virginia
St. Agnes Parish

Read about Fr. Nugent's journey to the priesthood.

What did you do prior to entering seminary?

I grew up in a Navy family and we lived in several different places. After graduating from Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School in Virginia Beach, I studied finance and economics in college and worked for an investment bank.

What influenced your decision to apply for seminary entrance?

I am fortunate to have grown up in a loving family. By their example, my father, my grandfathers, and my uncles taught me what it means to be a man for others. I learned a great deal from and was powerfully influenced by the example and encouragement of holy priests, especially Father Frederick Edlefsen, Monsignor William Pitt, and Father Joseph Scordo, OP. After years of prayer and exploration, I felt increasingly confident that God might be calling me to this vocation.

Why do you want to be a priest?

I want to serve God, His Church, and His people. I have known the joy of God's love and mercy and I want to share that with the world through the sacraments and preaching.

What are your favorite pastimes?

I enjoy traveling, reading about foreign affairs, running, and spending time with family and friends. I love to play and watch sports.

What is your favorite quote?

I have two: “He must increase; I must decrease.” - John 3:30 “Do not let hope die! Stake your lives on it! We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures; we are the sum of the Father's love for us and our real capacity to become the image of his Son.” - Pope Saint John Paul II

Who is your favorite Saint and why?

My favorite saint is Saint André Bessette. A man with little formal education who battled sickness for much of his life, Brother André humbly devoted himself to prayer and to serving others as the doorkeeper at Notre Dame College in Montreal. He had a radical trust in God's love and was known for his devotion to Saint Joseph.

What advice would you give to a young man thinking about the seminary?

Become disciplined in your prayer life, surround yourself with holy people, and don't worry.