July 23

2023

Nogales

Sacred Heart

Mount Angel Seminary (Philosophy and Literature)

English and Spanish

Music and Reading

St. Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face

At around the young age of 8 years old, I felt a desire to one day become a priest. Growing up as a kid I had the opportunity to be an altar server, interact with seminarians, and with priests who I looked up to. I think this was influential in having that desire as a kid. As I grew up, however, I moved to a different town and that participation that I had with my parish was lost. Throughout middle school and high school, I pushed that desire away and focused instead on academics and social life, hoping to one day have a successful career, get married, and have a family. However, during my senior year of high school, friends (who knew I was catholic) would question me about my faith. This led me to do research online, more for the fact that I wanted to be right instead of an actual interest in learning more about my faith. Unexpectedly, however, I became fascinated by the richness and beauty of Catholicism. By doing further research into the faith is how I came across the term “vocation”. Learning about this led me to realize that God has a specific plan for all of us. After graduating from high school I had a desire to discover what was God’s will for my life. Which led me to ask myself “If I want to discover God’s will for my life, should I not also reconsider the possibility of the priesthood instead of assuming I am not called to become a priest?” During the summer after high school and during the year that I studied at the University of Arizona, through prayer, Divine Providence, through different events and people, I came to the realization that God was calling me to further discern my call to priesthood in the seminary. During my time at the seminary as I continue to discern God’s call for my life through prayer, comments from the faithful, and comments from my supervisors I continue to feel called by God to one day serve as a priest formed according to the heart of Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd.

Bringing the grace and mercy of God to others, especially through celebrating the sacraments of the Eucharist and Confession.