Daniel D’Innocenzo

Home Parish: St. Patrick Natick
Seminary: St. Charles College Seminary, Philadelphia
High-School: Natick High School
Hobbies: Play Sports, Hiking, Fishing, Reading, Music

When was the first time you thought of priesthood?
The thought of me being a priest has always been in the back of my head but it wasn't until junior year in high school that I started to seriously think about it. Before then, although I was still going to Church I had other ideas for my future, getting married and having a family.

What were major Catholic activities you participated in prior to the Seminary?
The summer of 2005 the Vocation Office organized a trip to Rome, Assisi, Switzerland ending in Germany at World Youth Day. The pilgrimage was made up of about 12 men discerning the priesthood with two priests. I also went to CLI (Catholic Leadership Institute) and CLIMB (Catholic Leadership Institute Moving Beyond) at Merrimack College during two summers in high school.

What is your favorite Scripture passage? Why?
Though this is always a difficult question I think my favorite Scripture reading is John 14:1-14 because Jesus tells us that He actually wants to be with us for eternity and has told us how we can fulfill this desire that bothe He an us have which is to be with each other forever. He tell us that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life and to follow Him.

What would you say to a young man who thinks he may have a vocation?
Don't run away from the thought of doing someting completely different from your peers. Be prepared to stand out for making the decsion to enter the seminary. But first of all grow as close as possible to God and decide that you will be doing it for Him.

Is Seminary formation what you thought it would be? How is it similar and different from your expectations?
There are some things that I had expected and other things that I didn't. I knew it would involve a disciplined and scheduled life but I didn't expect the communal aspect to be as comforting as it is. I really feel like I am part of a family in the seminary and was also surprised at how many different seminarians there can be. It is a very diverse group of mostly young (but some not so young) men who are aiming at the same goal. I was also surprised at how much fun we do have with each other whether it being hanging around relaxing, playing sports together, etc.

Please describe the importance of prayer in your life?
I have found that prayer is something that not always looks like an attractive thing to do but always leads to good. I have grown close enough to God that I cannot deny spending time with Him when I don't feel like it. Like any relationship there are ups and downs but I have tried not to be moved too much by feelings. Everybody besides from trying to live for God, I spend time with God in prayer wether it be thinking of Him, having a conversation with Him, or just being in His presence.

Through the Cardinal, God is calling you personally to help rebuild his Church. How must the priest respond to this mandate today?
Mainly by living a holy life and growing closer to God. Now I must work on living a more saintly life and studying hard because the things I learn now I will eventually use. Talking individually with a priest who gave our end-of-the-year retreat at the seminary. After finding out I was from Boston he said that a priest in Boston must be twice as holy and work twice as hard as a priest anywhere else because of the troubles that have happened in this Archdiocese.