Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Propaedeutic Stage
Virginia Tech
St. Leo the Great Parish
What did you do prior to entering seminary?
Before entering seminary, I worked at St. Paul VI Catholic High School for three years as a Youth Apostles Missionary in Campus Ministry. As a Missionary, I ran retreats, led OCIA, and sought to help the students encounter Jesus Christ in a new way through clubs, sports, and other school activities.
What influenced your decision to apply for seminary entrance?
Seeing the great dedication and service of so many priests in the Diocese of Arlington has inspired me to seek the Lord’s will in my own life and to respond generously.
Why do you want to be a priest?
Ultimately, I can sense that God is leading me in the direction of the priesthood so that I might love him with all my heart. I desire to bring the light of Christ into the world in a special way through the Sacraments as a priest.
What are your favorite pastimes?
I enjoy rooting for the New York Mets, Jets, and Knicks. In my free time, I train as a competitive powerlifter, read epic fantasy books, and listen to music.
What is your favorite quote?
“Life before death, strength before weakness, journey before destination.” – The first Ideal of the Knights Radiant
Who is your favorite Saint and why?
I am particularly fond of St. John Bosco! I admire his dedication to serving the young people in Turin with creativity and unceasing fervor. St. John Bosco inspires me to respond to God’s love each day and to share that love with others.
What advice would you give to a young man thinking about the seminary?
Above all, God desires for us to have a deep closeness with him. Discernment is primarily ordered toward fostering this intimacy in prayer and our vocation.
Any other fun facts about yourself that people might find interesting?
I converted to the Catholic Church in 2019 as a student at Virginia Tech. Because of this, I have a great love of helping those seeking to enter the Church and receive their Sacraments!
