April 6

2026

Blue Island, IL

St. Benedict's

Marquette University (International Affairs)

St. Oscar Romero

I grew up in Catholic family so the faith was always in an important part of my life. As I grew older, I gradually began to identify more with the faith. I was especially drawn to the intellectual tradition of the Catholic faith and the lives of saints- particularly at that time the life of Saint Francis. Dorothy Day’s writings and example were also important for my spiritual growth and inspired in me a mission of service to the poor. I can also thank the Ignatian spirituality taught to me at Saint Ignatius College Prep and Marquette University for helping me discern God’s call. While I had begun to feel the call during high school, I began to take God’s call more seriously during college. I was inspired by many of the Jesuits who were doing work as pastors that I had the opportunity to meet at Marquette especially those I met in Cuba during a mission trip there. My senior year assisting with the RCIA program also helped to deepen my understanding of God’s call. There I really enjoyed walking with those who desired to enter into the Catholic faith. After college, I decided to take a year working on a The Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. It was there while i was working as a religious ed teacher that I decide to take the leap into seminary and further developed my desire to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.