February 4

2023

Cedar Rapids, IA

St. Pius X in Cedar Rapids, IA

Loras College (Philosophy with a minor in Spanish)

English and some Spanish

Reading, playing cards

I was held back in choir.

Sts. Ignatius of Loyola and Dominic

I’ve thought about being a priest since I was a child. By the time I got to high school, I was pretty much set on being a priest. Out of the many good priests in the Archdiocese of Dubuque, the was one priest who particularly inspired me to consider the priesthood: Fr. Chris. He both prayed with a reverence which I had never seen before and clearly loved his parishoners. The way he lived the love of God and neighbor in the unique, priestly way still informs how I want to minister. The priesthood seemed to be my calling throughout high school, applied to and was accepted by St. Pius X Seminary at Loras College. To everyone’s surprise (including my own), I discerned out a semester later, although I remained a ‘normal’ student at Loras. I grew rapidly during my time out of seminary, and God called be to return to seminary a year later. He assured me that He is greater than anything that I could ever possibly give up for Him, and that He would help me blossom as a person, as a disciple, and as a priest if I followed Him. He has been doing that ever since.

I really can’t just pick one. I look forward to pastoral care, preaching, teaching, and leading the community in prayer. I really hope to strengthen priestly fraternity and maybe even live in community with other priests someday.

Please pray for me to enter into formation and trust my formators. Also pray for God to pour out His spirit of wisdom and charity so that I can continue to grow here.