St. John Paul II Seminary, College I/Propaedeutic Stage
The Catholic University of America
Holy Spirit Parish
What did you do prior to entering seminary?
Before entering seminary, I was homeschooled from preschool through my senior year of high school. I used several different curricula for my academics and was not fully enrolled in any specific homeschooling institution. I was an altar server from 4th grade at Holy Spirit Parish, and I participated in many of the parish’s youth group activities. I played basketball and other sports in elementary school and swam competitively throughout high school. I also participated in various diocesan events, such as Workcamp, Rally, and pilgrimages.
What influenced your decision to apply for seminary entrance?
My decision to apply for seminary entrance was influenced by many sources. Chiefly, it centered on the practice of daily prayer in silence to listen for the calling and movements of the Holy Spirit. I was also encouraged to discern well by several priests, especially Arlington’s vocation director and the priests at my parish. My parents also always encouraged me to pray about whatever I believed God might call me to do in life. Altar serving and working for a year at my parish allowed me to spend much time around the tabernacle and demonstrated parish life to me.
Why do you want to be a priest?
I want to be a priest because I believe Jesus wills it! If He does, I cannot say exactly what plan He has for me, but I know that it concerns the salvation of souls. My Confirmation saint, St. John Bosco, said: “Give me souls, take away the rest.” This is the immediate objective of a priest. This world is passing in the blink of an eye, and our time is limited to gain as many souls for Christ as possible. I want to be a priest that others may become saints and come to Heaven.
What are your favorite pastimes?
Swimming was my principal sport throughout high school and I greatly enjoy it. However, I also relish pickup volleyball games with my friends and playing disc golf on local courses. I am deeply fond of studying the Italian language when able, though I am excited to learn Latin and Spanish as well. I also like playing board games, watching movies, reading classics, and going for an occasional run.
What is your favorite quote?
“It is possible that God says every morning, ‘Do it again’ to the sun; and every evening, ‘Do it again’ to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we. The repetition in Nature may not be a mere recurrence; it may be a theatrical encore.” -G.K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy.
Who is your favorite Saint and why?
My favorite saint is the Blessed Virgin Mary. I believe no human person has prayed for me to Jesus more effectively than has Mary. I have not one friend in Heaven who prays for me and my intentions without her intercession. She is Queen of the Saints and the Angels, Mother of Priests and of the Church, and our perfect example of holiness. Regardless of which saints I speak with most, I know that Mary prays for me most.
What advice would you give to a young man thinking about the seminary?
To such a man, I say that the most important thing you can do is pray in silence every day. If you do this, you will know your vocation when the Lord wills it. If you do not, then you are not really discerning yet. There are many pieces of advice which could be fitting for me to give, such as reading Scripture, speaking to your vocations director, and praying a daily rosary. But if you pray every day in silence, these things will surely come as God wills them. Daily, silent time set aside for prayer is absolutely essential to the Christian.
