Reverend Nicholas Blank

Theology IV
Mount St. Mary's Seminary
Holy Trinity Parish

Read the Arlington Catholic Herald's story on Fr. Nicholas Blank.

What did you do prior to entering seminary?

I went to Christendom College, where I majored in Philosophy.

What influenced your decision to apply for seminary entrance?

I really couldn’t picture myself going anywhere but seminary after college. I’ve felt the call to the priesthood since I was a young altar server, and doing anything else would only be running away from this possibility. But I guess an important influence was meeting seminarians around the diocese; meeting them made the prospect of seminary life exciting!

Why do you want to be a priest?

Mostly because I want God’s will to be done. I don’t always want to be a priest, but I feel called by God and can’t leave Him hanging. And when I stop and think, it really is awesome that God in His Providence has a plan for me that will bring me the fullness of happiness - I would be ungenerous (and kind of stupid!) if I didn’t return to God the life He has so generously given me. That He would want me to be a priest to His people is thrilling and humbling.

What are your favorite pastimes?

Playing soccer and baseball, following the New York Mets, singing and playing guitar.

What is your favorite quote?

“The world promises you comfort, but you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness.” -Pope Benedict XVI

Who is your favorite Saint and why?

My favorite saint is the Cure of Ars, for his humility and for his zeal for souls. He humbly accepted whatever challenges the Lord sent him (think: academic struggles, being drafted into Napoleon’s army, being sent to the notably wayward parish of Ars) and then humbly gave glory to God through his exemplary ministry as parish priest. And how can you not be moved by his zeal for souls! He went to great length to bring a plentiful harvest to the Lord, sacrificing sleep, food and every comfort.

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

The last advice my Mom gave me before I left for college was simply: Make great friends. Little did I know how influential this would be in my discernment. To no credit of my own, I did make awesome friends, guys and girls, at school, and my decision to enter seminary would have been very difficult without them. Simple and informal fraternity with friends has been the backbone of my discernment. They know me so well, and give me the courage to do God’s will. Having a consistent prayer life has got to be on the list, too! We’ve been told this frequently, and just have to live it out.