Home Parish: St. Thomas More Parish,
Lake Ariel
Year of Study: Pre-Theology I at St. Mary’s
Seminary and University, Baltimore, MD
*What are some of the factors that led to your decision to enter the
seminary and discern the question of a vocation to the priesthood?
I was
always very involved in my parish growing up. I was an altar server, part
of the choir, and a member of the youth group. When I was in seventh grade, a
friend who was confirmed with me told me that I would make a good priest.
I began to consider it and received a lot of support from friends and family
when sharing the possibility with them. Throughout high school, I began to
seriously discern a vocation to the priesthood in prayer. Times in adoration
were especially important to leading me to the seminary. In these prayer
periods, I gave Christ my heart with all the fears and hopes that I felt when
imagining myself as a priest. Over time, I noticed a sense of peace that
allowed me to apply to the diocese and enter the seminary.
*What do you like most about being a seminarian?
I really
love praying, studying, and relaxing with my brother seminarians. It is
very helpful to have friends who are pursuing the same vocation as me and share
many of my same fears and hopes moving forward. We've shared both fun
times and difficult ones.
*What is the role of prayer in your life?
Prayer
is the most important part of my life. My relationship with God continues
to grow through beautiful and difficult experiences, and I am slowly falling
more in love with him. I want my relationship with God to form everything
I do, though I am not a saint yet. Prayer is what continues to draw me
forward in my vocation, and I pray that if it is God's will, I will become a
holy priest, a real man of prayer.
*What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about a vocation
to the priesthood?
Any man
who is thinking about a vocation to the priesthood must learn to listen and
trust in prayer. This is very difficult, but it is what nourishes a
vocation. God usually does not speak in a loud voice, but often gently
tugs on the heart. He also does not reveal everything at once, but calls
us to trust him as he guides us one step at a time. I am still not sure
I'm called to be a priest, but I know God has led me to the seminary and is
still leading me as I continue forward.