Nicholas Farmer

Pre-Theology II
Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary
George Mason University
Our Lady of Hope Parish

What did you do prior to entering seminary?

Before I became a seminarian, I was a campus missionary with FOCUS for the last 2 years. Both years of mission I was assigned to the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, working with Catholic Hoos and the Dominican parish there, Saint Thomas Aquinas University parish. I led bible studies weekly and discipleship groups, and worked primarily with guys in fraternities, which was both super fun and difficult.

What influenced your decision to apply for seminary entrance?

Being a missionary greatly influenced my decision to be a seminarian. It was my job to live a deep and outward faith as a missionary. My life was full of prayer and community, sharing the gospel at the center of everything that our mission team did, trying to make Acts 2:42 a reality of our daily life: “They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers.”

Why do you want to be a priest?

I want to be a priest because I love Jesus Christ more than anything, nothing gives me greater joy than talking about Christ. I want to live a deep life of prayer. I want to speak of Jesus daily. I want to share both the ups and downs of life with the faithful. I have much hope for the priestly brotherhood. I think that being a priest is what will fulfill me the most and give me the deepest joy of Christ.

What are your favorite pastimes?

I have a ton of things that I like to do, I'll do just about anything fun with people because my favorite pastime is just talking with people, getting to know them and talking about real and deep things. I like chess, board games, any game really, sports although I can't play much anymore. I like golf and frisbee golf. I like to read and I write. I love a lot of music.

What is your favorite quote?

“Many, many people fail to become Christians, because there is no one to make them Christians.” St. Francis Xavier

Who is your favorite Saint and why?

Saint Isaac Jogues is my favorite saint. His willingness to endure pain and suffering for those he was bringing to Christ is extremely inspiring. The love leadership that he showed to his group of fellow prisoners is supernatural. He knew what he was made to do, and even after being released and returning to France after a year of tortuous captivity, he wanted to return to the New World to continue sharing the Gospel. Incredible.

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

Stop thinking and do something. True discernment involves action. I'm still discerning the priesthood, that's why I am going to seminary as well.

Are any other facts about yourself that people might find interesting?

I cannot snap my fingers, and yes, I have tried, and also yes, many people have tried to teach me. I still cannot snap my fingers.