Meet The Seminarians
Meet The Seminarians
These seminarians all started out right where you are now — exploring their calling and probably feeling the same anticipation you feel as well. You are in holy and blessed company.
Mr. Michael Castellon
Third Theology
Mr. Ulises Diaz
Third Theology
Mr. Dong Huy Pham
Third Theology
MR.FRITZ ANACREON
Second Theology
MR. STEVE BARUFFI
Second Theology
Mr. Rafael Milla
Second Theology
Mr. Luca Azzani
First Theology
Mr. Joe Jasinski
First Theology
Mr. Henry Seuffert
First Theology
Mr. Alexander de Tirado
First Theology
Mr. Nicholas Colon
Pre-Theology II
Mr. Christian Ortez
Pre-Theology II
MR. ISAAC VELASQUEZ
Pre-Theology II
Mr. Sean McKeown
Propaedeutic Year
Mr. Matthew Thoni
Propaedeutic Year
Mr. Daniel Waldron
Pastoral Year
Mr. Javier Padilla
Itinerancy
Mr. Brian Daley
Third Theology
MR. MATEUS DE OLIVEIRA MARTIN
Third Theology
MR. LUIS ALBERTO PICENO
Third Theology
Mr. Aaron Arbizo
Second Theology
Mr. Alex Charow
Second Theology
Mr. Johnathan Saniuk
Second Theology
Mr. Chris Barton
First Theology
Mr. Diego Mendoza Castillo
First Theology
MR. CHRISTOPHER SILEBI
First Theology
Mr. Tim Walsh
First Theology
MR. RYAN HENDERSON
Pre-Theology II
MR. RAFAEL STEFANO RUBIO
Pre-Theology II
Mr. Luca Contini
Propaedeutic Year
Mr. John Monbouquette
Propaedeutic Year
Mr. Giovanni Trimboli
Propaedeutic Year
Mr. Gustavo Neitzke
Itinerancy
Mr. Aaron Sanz
Itinerancy
MR. VINCENZO CARUSO
Third Theology
MR. BRIAN DELANEY
Third Theology
Mr. Joseph Thuy Van Nguyen
Third Theology
Mr. Edward Rodriguez
Third Theology
MR. GIRIS AZIZE
Second Theology
Mr. Gerson Garcia
Second Theology
Mr. Thomas Rashid
Second Theology
Mr. Alden Bronson
First Theology
Mr. Maximilian Muenke
First Theology
MR. THIAGO SOUSA
First Theology
MR. PAULO CARVALHO
Pre-Theology II
MR. JAKE LIVINGSTONE
Pre-Theology II
MR. LIAM WARNER
Pre-Theology II
Mr. Miguel de Lorea
Propaedeutic Year
Mr. Connor Roukey
Propaedeutic Year
MR. KYLE ELLIS
College Sophomore
Mr. Diego Pena
Itinerancy
Meet the Directors
FR. ERIC CADIN
Fr. Eric Cadin is the Director of the Office of Vocations and Director of the Office of University Missions for the Archdiocese of Boston. An avid surfer with an overall passion for adventure sports, Fr. Eric recognizes God’s capacity to unveil Himself in places and thrilling moments of awe and beauty. Ordained to the priesthood in 2012, he is equally passionate about the opportunity he has to mentor and guide men along their own pursuits of holiness. Fr. Eric is proud to be involved in the campaign to promote Scivias, a video series he hopes will engage, inform, and inspire a new generation of men to discern a vocation to the priesthood.
FR. MICHAEL ZIMMERMAN
Fr. Michael Zimmerman was ordained to the priesthood in 2017 and currently serves as assistant Vocation Director for the Archdiocese of Boston and adjunct Scripture Professor at St. John’s Seminary. With the heart of a teacher, Fr. Michael was inspired to create a systematic discernment program for young men drawing from the wisdom that he received as part of his own formation. During the pandemic lockdown in May 2020, Fr. Michael scripted 27 episodes which are now part of a video series called Scivias. Filmed in a way that captures many of Fr. Michael’s own interests such as rock climbing, track and field, art, drawing, and of course the city of Boston (!), Fr. Michael hopes others can identify with his journey and recognize how pursuing God’s plan for their lives will fulfill their greatest desires.
Learn more about The Seminary:
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We hope the videos and this discernment guidebook of part I of Scivias has been helpful to you in arriving at before pursuing your God-given vocation. Action leads to certainty, not the other way around.
We know the way.
Connect with us to begin your discernment journey.
Brian Delaney
Seminary: Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary
College: Franklin Pierce University, Rindge NH.
Hometown: Amesbury, MA
Interest:
I enjoy dining out with family and friends. Participating in local charities and community events. I enjoy boating, golfing and local motorcycle trips.
Calling:
After a 40 year career in Government and Industry I answered the Lords call to the Priesthood. My desire and hope are to grow in Holiness, Love and Mercy while being a good shepherd to His flock. I realize I cannot make this journey alone, and need the Grace and Strength of the Holy Spirit throughout my discernment.
Mr. Alden Bronson
Seminary: St. John’s Seminary
College: Boston University, MA
Hometown: Bradford, MA
Interest:
I like playing the cello, soccer, going on walks, learning different languages, writing, and also tennis if I can play.
Calling:
I’d thought about the priesthood before and it always seemed attractive, and still more-so after my final year at college. It just seemed attractive at the time, and I didn’t want to pass up the opportunity to enter when I could, and I’m very happy I entered. What excites me most about the priesthood is forming community and giving the catechism that is needed in the Church today; and more than that being a father to the young in faith.
Diego Pena
High School: I.E.M. Santiago Perez de Zipaquira
Hometown: Zipaquira, Cundinamarca, Colombia
Interest:
In my free times I enjoy playing video-games, learning new languages, reading, watching movies and listening to music and painting.
Calling:
Someone who has influenced in my decision to enter the Seminary has been my Cousin, it was through him that I went to a vocational meeting, it was there that I began to consider and discern my calling to the priesthood. Something that I enjoy as part of my vocation is to share time with families, to know their difficulties, to listen to them and at times also to encourage them and to let their faith be forged and shaped by their trials.
Aaron Yohe
Seminary: St. John’s Seminary
College: Ohio Northern University
Hometown: Spencerville, OH
Interest:
Hiking, mountain biking, lifting weights, reading, journaling, baking.
Calling:
God has given me a second opportunity to be in the seminary as a second career seminarian. I entered the first time after I graduated college, I later left to get work experience. After working in accounting and IT for ten years the return I thought would only take a couple years materialized and I reentered the seminary. While originally from Ohio I discerned that my place to live and minister is in the Archdiocese of Boston.
Rafael Milla
Hometown: Lima, Peru
Interest:
My interests outside if the priesthood is playing sports. I enjoy taking time during the day to play soccer or any sport whatsoever. I also enjoy listening to music and playing or learning any sort of musical instrument. Part of my routine is going out for walks; I realize that I meditate on any events throughout the day when I relax and take some time to explore what is around me and around the neighborhood. Traveling and pilgrimages are a big part of my activities.
What made me interested in the seminary and eventually enter was: First, going to pilgrimages as part of World Youth Day. Second, is visiting seminaries and sharing experiences with seminarians; this includes sharing meals, playing sports together. Now, what most excites me about being a seminarian is getting to know the life of Christ and His love for me everyday through providence, and being in communion with other seminarians.
Mr. Nicholas Colon
Seminary: St. John’s Seminary
College: Harvard College, Cambridge, MA
Hometown: Brockton, MA
Interest:
I love reading, cooking, coffee, and being outdoors — my ideal day would be spending the morning in prayer with a cup of coffee, followed by a few hours in a novel (also with coffee), going for an afternoon hike, and cooking and sharing a meal with friends in the evening.
Calling:
I had a number of holy priests in my life who showed me the love of the Father. Their example of humility and their love for God has remained with me, and my desire to love and serve Christ in the way they did grew in the years following college. Ultimately, I desire to be as close to the Lord as possible and to do His will for my life, and I ask for the grace to continue to say “yes” to him throughout my time in formation and beyond.
Mr. Thomas Rashid
Seminary: Pope John XXIII Weston MA
College: Northeastern University Boston MA
Hometown: Wellesley, MA
Interest:
I enjoy the Arts in the Boston scene. Trying new restaurants is fun. Historic and social places of interest are also of interest to me.
Calling:
I decided to give the seminary a chance, as I felt the call to priestly discernment for many years.
Mr. Johnathan Saniuk
College: Quinsigamond Community College / UMass Lowell
Hometown: Milford, Massachusetts, USA
Interest:
I enjoy running, hiking, and Tough Mudders, as well as video games, fantasy novels, and the occasional board game. Everything is best done with friends.
I’m here because of the strong arm of God breaking down the walls of my heart. I didn’t want this vocation, it was gifted to me, and with it life abundant.
Seminary is like those 80’s and 90’s movies where there’s a 5 minute training montage that spans several years and the guy comes out a fully trained ninja. Time passes inordinately fast but you come out on the other side a totally different person, conformed to God’s will. Come see for yourself, He’s calling, listen.
Mr. Dong Huy Pham
College: Hanoi University of Science and Technology
Hometown: Hanoi, Vietnam
Interest:
I have several interests I usually do in free time. I am interested in Robotic and technological fields. I like watching videos and movies talking about creative technology, including fiction movies. Besides, I love traveling though I haven’t done this much. Also, I am keen on learning some musical instruments, especially traditional instruments.
When I was a freshman at HUST, I started to think of the vocation. I went to Mass frequently. I met a young priest in a parish near by my University. I talked to him about my thoughts. He instructed me how to pray the Liturgy of Hours. He shared his own experiences in his priestly life. From these, I found an inspiration which I believed God worked through the priest to lead me to considering the vocation.
Mr. Brian Daley
College: Franklin Pierce University – Nashua NH
Hometown: Merrimac, Massachusetts, USA
Interest:
Enjoy dining out with family and friends. Participating in local charities and community events. Enjoy boating, golfing and local motorcycle trips.
Calling:
“First of all, thanks to Fr. Caden and Fr. Zimmerman from the Boston Vocations Office for their support and assistance! After a 40 year career in Government and Industry I answered the Lords call to the Priesthood. My desire and hope are to grow in Holiness, Love and Mercy while being a good shepherd to His flock. I realize I cannot make this journey alone, and need the Grace and Strength of the Holy Spirit throughout my discernment.”
Mr. Alphonsus Hien Quang Vu
Seminary: St. John’s Seminary
College: Ha Noi Open University
Hometown: Thuong Tin, Hanoi, Vietnam
Interest:
Since I was a kid, I have played soccer. Soccer taught me how to communicate, cheer, and encourage team working. I often watch the Premier League with my friends. My other hobbies are reading books, and especially I usually spend my leisure time reading novel books while listening to instrumental music. I enjoy walking, and I like spending time in nature and capturing all the beautiful moments of beauty with my camera.
Calling:
My home parish did not have a pastor when I was a kid. I got up at 4:30 am, then walked mostly 2 miles to the next town to attend the Sunday mass. Therefore I grew up intending to be a priest. My first pastor of my home parish influenced my vocation too. Due to his kindness and holiness, I have been attracted to the diocesan priestly vocation. Beside, my priestly call was influenced by my devoted catholic parents.
Mr. Joseph Jasinski
Seminary: St. John’s Seminary
College: Indiana University, Bloomington, Ind. (undergrad);
University of Portland, Portland, Ore. (grad)
Hometown: Boxford, MA
Interest:
I’d like to consider myself a fairly active person. If given the opportunity, I get outdoors — sports (namely soccer and basketball), trail running, road biking, hiking/camping or just finding a nice plot of grass in which to read, write, and/or listen to music. I’ve also gotten into photography and, in my teaching/coaching days, produced a few (lackluster) raps. End the day sharing a great meal with friends and family and I’ve reached the bliss point.
Calling:
For me, earnest discernment began, rather organically, in Spring 2020. Discovering time for stillness and prayer allowed me to better receive God’s graces and realize a perceived calling to the priesthood — a vocation which still seems, in Year 1 of seminary, like a mystery in its totality. But even at this onset of my priestly formation, I know it holds so many profound promises of encounter, love, and intimacy with Christ … and these ideas genuinely ignite my heart.
Mr. Javier Padilla
High School: St. Benedict’s Prep, NJ
Hometown: West Haven, Connecticut, USA
Before entering the seminary I wanted to study music at college level. I’ve been playing clarinet since middle school and played at the state competitive level in high school. I like learning new instruments. I’ve learned how to play saxophone, trumpet, and guitar on my own since entering the seminary and I hope to learn more. Soccer is my favorite sport. I like following Liga MX, the Premier League, and the Champions League.
My first pilgrimage was World Youth Day in Poland. This would eventually be the deciding factor in my decision to enter the seminary. Before that pilgrimage I had never even thought of the seminary. However, this event helped me to see that I was looking for more in my life. For that reason, although I was not certain if I would become a priest, I decided to let God reveal my vocation through the seminary.
Mr. Bertrand Proulx
College: Fitchburg State University
Hometown: Fall River, Massachusetts, USA
Interest:
I have fun going to see Red Sox and Patriots games with my brothers. I enjoy taking long walks and bicycle riding by the ocean.
Calling:
Priesthood was one of many things I had considered as a calling when I was in high school but I decided to study computer science. After college I worked as a software engineer north of Boston for nearly 30 years. During that time I was as a chapel volunteer at Fernald State School. When the state closed Fernald I got involved with parish life. I volunteered to be an RCIA leader at my parish which lit my faith on fire. It drove me to discern my calling later in life.
Mr. Joseph Ferme
College: Boston University
Hometown: East Islip, New York, USA
Interest:
I enjoy nature, photography, and horseback riding.
Calling:
My baptism meant very much to me when I was young. I understood it as a kind of pledge of myself to God, to give myself to Him for His worship and service. Eventually, a parish priest asked me if I had ever thought about becoming a priest myself and put me in touch with the Vocations Office.
Mr. Kyle Gregg
Seminary: Saint John’s Seminary
College: KU Leuven
Hometown: Amesbury, MA
Interest:
My interests include 19th and 20th cent philosophy and theology, electric guitar, and exercise.
Calling:
I have met so many inspirational men and women of various religious communities, many diocesan priests like those in Boston, all of whom left a profound impression on me. I cannot list them all. They reside in many different countries and work for the Church in various capacities. They have all taught me so much; I am indebted to their example and friendliness. Our Church is big and beautiful — let this suffice.
Mr. Maxwell Chukwudiebere
Seminary: St. John’s Seminary
Location: Columbus, Ohio, USA
Interest:
In my free time I like to take my mountain bike out and experience the many paved and unpaved trails in the area. The views of the city are also great on the many bike lanes. Kayaking is another seasonal recreation I enjoy but this winter I want to branch out to winter sports and try snowshoeing and cross country skiing. In all seasons going to they gym to lift weights is a staple in my schedule. When I can I also am up for going to live sports and music.
Calling:
Simply put every man is in the seminary because God has called him there, the contributions to determine this call for me is multiple, briefly: The example of good, holy priests that I want to follow in their footsteps. Many people strangers, parishioners, and friends even ones not practicing the faith have noticed in me something that caused them to encourage me in my vocation. Finally there is peace and consolation in following this call or even thinking of this call.
Mr. David Pineda
College: Ohio Northern University
Location: Columbus, Ohio
I like listening to music, running, hiking, and reading. Also, I really enjoy sports, especially soccer.
Calling:
I grew up in El Salvador, a small country in Central America; I come from a very Catholic family, where Catholic values were taught day by day. When I was twelve years old, I received my first Holy Communion. For me, that day changed my life since I knew what it meant. As an altar server, I had a deep desire to become a priest. I am now in my last year of formation at St. John’s Seminary, and I am looking forward to my priestly ordination in 2024.
Mr. Joseph Thuy Van Nguyen
Hometown: Y Yen, Viet Nam
Interest:
My hobbies are traveling and playing sports. In my free time I also enjoy reading and visiting elderly people in my village or having a picnic with friends.
Calling:
I fortunately was born a devout family in countryside parish. When I was a child, my parents often took me to the Church to pray and for the celebration of mass. That helped me to develop my faith in God. I was active as an altar server in my parish, I felt very happy every time served the altar. From that point, I realized that I wanted to remain close to God through a life of prayer and Church activities. I decided to sacrifice my life in the priesthood life.
Mr. Maximilian Muenke
Seminary: Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary
Hometown: Bevergern, Germany
Interest:
Meeting with family and friends on a regular basis is like food, water, and air to me. In addition, I love meeting new people, seeing God’s grace in each of them, and growing from each interaction. Hikes in nature either in the neighborhood, along the Appalachian Trail in the US, or the Camino de Santiago in Spain nourish me and are one of the many gifts from God. Lastly, I had the privilege and joy to travel for work around the world and serve in many countries.
Growing up in Germany my dream was to become a priest. A serious childhood illness with a year-long hospital stay changed this plan. The vocation to the priesthood came again as an adult while on a pilgrimage of the Camino de Santiago in Spain, followed by two years of discernment. I am full of gratitude to Cardinal Seán O’Malley, Father Brian Kiely, and Father Eric Cadin who accepted me as a seminarian into Pope St. John XXIII and the Archdiocese of Boston.
Thiago Mesquita de Sousa
Seminary: St. John’s Seminary
Hometown: Fortaleza, Brazil
Interest:
I enjoy and spend my free time weightlifting, backpacking, singing and playing guitar with friends. Exploring new cultures is a big part of my personality. I believe that others are always enriching, and I personally build an important part of my character when I make new friends. I have lived in five different countries, which exposed me to mixed perspectives of the world, and I have discovered that Jesus Christ is the only permanent and solid foundation for all men.
Calling:
I considered the priesthood for the first time in my life on January 15th, 2018. I had just arrived in Santiago, Chile, on the same day that Pope Francis arrived for an apostolic visit. I had no idea that Pope Francis was arriving that day! I decided to go to the massive vigil and when I looked at the crowd of young people, I realized, after years of discernment, I was feeling called to embrace a life of total dedication to Jesus Christ in the exercise of the priesthood.
Mr. Giris Y. Azize
Seminary: Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary
Hometown: San Juan Puerto Rico
Interest:
I like music (play organ and piano) amateur, In addition, I also likes to take pictures and video (professionally as a part-time) and likes to go on hikes and mountain bike. I also am a snow skier.
Calling:
My calling was most inspired from our Blessed Mother’s inspiration at Fatima, Portugal in 2019 and a priest within my diocese who thought I had a vocation, including my parish priest. In addition, many prayers from friends and parishioners who thought that I could serve as a Priest was helpful affirmation. While I inclined toward discernment of a vocation to the priesthood while in college, unfortunately, I didn’t follow it as I should have. Instead, many hours of prayer and discernment with my spiritual director were most helpful.
Daniel Waldron
Seminary: St. John’s Seminary
Hometown: Baltimore, MD
Interest:
I worked in the culinary field and still enjoy cooking. Since I have a very creative imagination I have always been inclined to create things with my hands, including wood carving small scale carpentry projects. I am also an avid gardener and I sing and play guitar.
Calling:
I joined the Franciscans shortly after my reversion to the practice of the Faith when I was twenty seven. I initially felt called to live the relatively quiet life of a simple lay brother, but began to sense a call to the priesthood after almost twenty years of religious life. About four months ago I discerned a further call to switch from being a Franciscan seminarian to studying for the archdiocese of Boston.
Aaron Arbizo
Seminary: St. John’s Seminary
Hometown: Cypress, CA
Interest:
I like to stay active by playing soccer and walking. I also like traveling, some places I have traveled are Germany, France, Spain, Italy but mainly all for pilgrimages. During this pilgrimages I have seen many Holy sites and have received many graces.
Calling:
During the summer, I did a missionary experience announcing the Gospel in the streets and the Lord was waiting for me in the streets! During this time, I heard Jesus telling me “Get up, pick up your mat, and walk”. Although I didn’t quite understand the meaning of those words, I realized that God had just given me an opportunity to follow him, discern my vocation and explore my vocation to the priesthood.
Liam Warner
Seminary: St. John’s Seminary
Hometown: Boston, MA
I like to play golf (I was on the golf team in high school) and the piano. I am currently learning to play the organ. I majored in classics in college, so I enjoy ancient history and literature.
I first thought of becoming a priest when in college I began attending St. Paul’s in Cambridge. A solid parish, strong liturgical life and influential older friends were the main factors. I hope one day to be able to create this kind of environment for my parishioners. I went on the archdiocese’s vocations retreat in 2019 during my junior year, and two conversations I had there were very helpful—a key theme was not making discernment more complicated than it is.
John Monbouquette
Hometown: West Roxbury, MA
Interest:
In my free time, I especially enjoy reading, cycling, gardening, and traveling. And when the chance arises, I am always excited to go to antique or architectural-salvage shop. Most of all, though, I simply enjoy having the opportunity to walk through places of any sort and ponder the things that I see. I do not play sports too often, but when I do, I can really get into a game of ultimate frisbee. If I could pursue any new activities, I would like to horse-back ride.
Calling:
I decided to enter the seminary years ago in middle school after having a formative and moving upbringing at my home parish, but am only starting at St. John’s now after having completed my college studies and worked for a few years at a nearby church. In recent years, what has most motivated me to pursue the priesthood has been witnessing the ability that priests have to form and influence their flocks for the better, which I look forward to doing even as a seminarian.
Timothy Walsh
Hometown: Milton, MA
Interest:
I love anything and everything Irish. I like listening and playing Irish music on the tin whistle. I’m the Irish language so that I can eventually celebrate Mass in my grandmother’s town. I also really enjoy being on the Seminary Basketball team. Any activity I can do with my brothers is always fun.
Calling:
I entered seminary because no other life could satisfy the longing in my heart for discipleship. After attending 3 diocesan retreats during college, I finally decided to enter after graduating. Entering seminary was the best decision I ever make. I get to study the word of God and do it alongside some of my closest friends. I can’t wait to share the fruits seminary has gifted me with my future parishioners.
Diego Mendoza
Hometown: Denver, CO
Interest:
I enjoy playing soccer, hanging out with friends, going to see nature or scenic views, and playing the guitar. All these things are what kept me interested throughout my childhood, I was always trying to do those things in order to have some fun or get out of the house for a little while.
Calling:
Ever since I was young I looked up to priests very much, because my family was very close to some priests. I was always afraid of what people would think of me if they found out that I had the calling to the priesthood. However, after I went on a pilgrimage to Gettysburg with my parish, I received a reading by chance that encouraged me not to care what others think about me, to unite myself to Christ, follow him and the happiness that I longed for would be given me.
Henry Seuffert
Seminary: Redemptoris Mater Seminary
Hometown: Ridgewood, NJ
Interest:
My favorite activity is fishing, but I also enjoy playing baseball, and spending
Calling:
The reason I entered the seminary was a vocation to the priesthood that I
discovered during my pilgrimage to Rome. Even though I felt the call, I was
still very young and did not know what to do with it. Later, I received a Word
from God that clearly told me to follow Him and gave me the courage to take
the risk and begin my formation. What excites me about my calling is studying
new topics that I had never heard of before the seminary.
Alexander De Tirado
Hometown: Miami, FL
Interest:
In my free time, I enjoy outdoors activities: I like going for a hike and enjoying the beauty of nature and of God’s creation. Being from Miami, I used to go fishing with my grandfather and I fell in love with it. In fact, fishing has taught me many things, especially patient and the virtue of forbearance.
I entered the seminary because, despite many experiences and various attempts at reaching happiness, I never really felt satisfied. At one point I realized that the only times when I was happy and at peace were when I trusted God. I believe that the seminary is this place where God guiding me will show me what is his will for me.
Gerson Garcia
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Growing up I’ve always had a particular interest in physical activities such as running, and playing soccer. These activities have become an integral part of my life. Today, I continue to enjoy soccer mostly by participating in friendly matches with my brothers in the seminary. Also, I continue to enjoy running at local parks or nearby lakes.
I grew up in a Catholic family attending Mass every Sunday, however I felt that I did not know who God was in my life. I first heard the Lord to the priesthood while attending World Youth Day in 2016. However, my mind at the time was in weightlifting and on becoming a soccer player. Today I am happy the Lord gave me the grace to abandon my worthless projects and to have “chosen the better part” discerning my vocation.
Alex Charow
Hometown: Lowell, MA
Whenever I am not doing anything else, I am reading. Biography, political history, and historical fiction are my favorite things to read, and I don’t think I have ever walked past a used bookstore or library without stopping in to see what they had on their shelves.
After several years of working in Washington, DC after college, I basically realized that God had been calling me to be a priest since high school (when I had first felt the call), and that consequently nothing else would satisfy me except accepting this call to the priesthood and living it out in my life. It still floors me to think that God, in His infinite love for me, has called me to be an instrument so that He might be made manifest to those entrusted to my care.
Vincenzo Caruso
Hometown: Naples, Italy
I like to read, to play the guitar and to keep myself updated on matters of electrical engineering.
Although I was born and raised in a Catholic family, I was living my life following the advice of the world. Yet, I felt completely empty and unsatisfied in my life. It was in one such moments of darkness that God, through my community and my catechists of the Neocatechumenal Way, intervened in my life, brought me back to the Church and helped me to see his will and the call to the priesthood to begin rebuilding my life from scratch.
Ulises Diaz
Hometown: Los Mameyes, Dominican Republic
In my free time, I enjoy playing the guitar and listening to music. In addition, I also like to play basketball and read news and sports magazines.
The brothers and sisters of my Neocatechumenal community were crucial in discerning my vocation. By celebrating with them the liturgy of the Word and the sacraments, and living out my faith in my community, I was able to see that God was calling me to fulfill my vocation through the priesthood.
Edward Rodriguez
Hometown:Houston, TX
I like to play soccer and hang out with my friends. During my free time, I also like to exercise, watch movies, play video games, and visit new places. Sometimes, I just prefer to relax and watch the sunset.
My participation in the Neocatechumenal Way was key to discern my vocation and later enter the seminary. Living the faith within a small Christian community enabled me to personally discover the love of God. The faithful witness of priests within these communities of faith impelled me to the vocation to the priesthood.
Chris Barton
Hometown:Cambridge, MA
God has given me so many blessings: good health, intellect, food, shelter and so on. In many ways I use my spare time to make sure none of these things goes to waste. I enjoy exercising with kettle bells in the basement of St. John’s, reading up on different subjects such as the Bible, spiritual formation and psychology. I am learning the guitar now and it is one of my favorite ways to relax.
Before coming to the seminary, I was a software engineer. I enjoyed what I was doing, but I always felt as though God was calling me to something other than the married life. My participation with the Shalom Catholic Community in Cambridge helped me tremendously in eventually discerning to pursue the priesthood. God has given me everything, and it is my great joy to give my life to him as a priest if he so wills.
Luca Azzani
Hometown:Waterloo, Belgium
I am passionate about new experiences, how I come across them is of little importance. Reading is a great way to do so, I can take my time understanding its context. In high school I got into Lacrosse and we even won state championships. Though I have less time, I still take time to do sports, playing soccer with SJS seminary or going on runs around Boston. I am a guitar player(in the works) and am able to spend time practicing both, psalms and some of my favorites.
My first calling to the priesthood was at 13, after my first retreat, I was young back then so nothing happened. But God confirmed my calling in 2019, when I went to the World Youth Day in Panama. After which I entered the vocational center to discern with other people who’d been called and a priest. The best part is even after dating a girl in these years(not recommended, God calls persistently), the Lord still called me to serve Him.
Aaron Sanz
Hometown:Bogota, NJ
I enjoy learning languages to build a relationship with those from different cultures. I really enjoy listening to music. I play guitar, piano, bass, trumpet, and even the triangle. Board games or any card game are always great to pass the time. They also help me to get to know the other seminarians and to remain in communion with them.
My brother is in the seminary of Philadelphia, PA. Whenever he would come for a visit he’d also bring his brother seminarians with him. He always looked so happy and joyful. Seeing him so happy as a seminarian made me wonder, what was the source of his happiness. I realized that my brother had received a gift from God, the seminary. When I understood that I was called by God I decided to join the seminary. I see that I am truly happy and I have chosen the better part.
Paul Born
Hometown:Stoneham, MA
I enjoy learning languages to build a relationship with those from different cultures. I really enjoy listening to music. I play guitar, piano, bass, trumpet, and even the triangle. Board games or any card game are always great to pass the time. They also help me to get to know the other seminarians and to remain in communion with them.
My brother is in the seminary of Philadelphia, PA. Whenever he would come for a visit he’d also bring his brother seminarians with him. He always looked so happy and joyful. Seeing him so happy as a seminarian made me wonder, what was the source of his happiness. I realized that my brother had received a gift from God, the seminary. When I understood that I was called by God I decided to join the seminary. I see that I am truly happy and I have chosen the better part.
Gustavo Neitzke
Hometown:Campo Mourão, Brazil
Playing music is my favorite hobby. I played in the band of my school for 7 years as I was growing up. That experience made me fall in love with music and introduced me to many musical instruments. Also, I enjoy playing sports. Every Tuesday, I play soccer with the other seminarians. Once in a while, I also play basketball with the youth from my parish.
My Calling is very much related to the faith that I received from my parents. They taught me to avoid anything that would impede me from doing God’s will. My father taught to love God with all my heart. My mother introduced me to a deep devotion to Our Blessed Holy Mary. When I was in high school, I went to the World Youth Day of Rio de Janeiro and felt the call to become a missionary priest. After a year of discernment I was sent to the Redemptoris Seminary of Boston.
Joseph Nguyen
Seminary: St. John’s Seminary
Hometown: Brighton, MA
Interest:
I usually spend my leisure time reading books or playing sports. Along with this, I also like cooking when I have free time on the weekend.
Calling:
I grew up a devout Catholic in Viet Nam. When I was 9, I often served as an altar boy in my home parish. From that point, I was gradually attracted to the priesthood. So, when I graduated with a philosophy degree, I enrolled in Saint Joseph’s Seminary in Ha Noi, Viet Nam. My bishop sent me to Boston to study and to serve for the Archdiocese of Boston.