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.

Seminary: Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary
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.

Seminary: Redemptoris Mater Seminary
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.

Calling:
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.

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.

Seminary: St. John's Seminary
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.

Calling:
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.

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.

Seminary: Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary
High School: St. Benedict's Prep, NJ
Hometown: West Haven, Connecticut, USA

Interest:
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.

Calling:
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.

Seminary: St. John's Seminary
Hometown: Boston, MA

Interest:
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.

Calling:
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.

Seminary: St. John's Seminary
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.

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.

Seminary: Redemptoris Mater Seminary
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.

Calling:
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.

Seminary: St. John's Seminary
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Interest:
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.

Calling:
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.

Seminary: Redemptoris Mater Seminary
Hometown:Houston, TX

Interest:
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.

Calling:
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.

Seminary: Redemptoris Mater Seminary
Hometown:Waterloo, Belgium

Interest:
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.

Calling:
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.

Seminary: Redemptoris Mater Seminary
Hometown:Bogota, NJ

Interest:
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.

Calling:
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.

Seminary: Redemptoris Mater Seminary
Hometown:Campo Mourão, Brazil

Interest:
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.

Calling:
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.

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.