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.

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.”

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.

Calling:
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.

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.”

Interest:
I have many interests in the arts. I sing and play piano. I enjoy entertaining and cooking for friends and family. I like getting in the car and going on day trips around New England. I like being outdoors, gardening, going for walks, playing tennis and treasure hunting on the beach. I especially like genealogy and history so I like to go to museums and research family trees.

Calling:
Deciding to become a priest was probably the easiest decision I have ever made. I have always had a calling to the priesthood and after a lifetime of teaching, helping, serving, and administering to people, I decided (with help from the Holy Spirit) it was time to use my gifts to do the Lord’s work. I will continue to be an instrument of God in charity while spreading the good news of Jesus and the works of the Holy Spirit.

Interest:
Soccer is a popular sports in my native Cameroon. I grew up playing soccer with friends on the streets in Cameroon. I still enjoy playing soccer. I started as a defender but then converted to an attacking midfielder. Watching soccer is also a big hobby of mine. I enjoy watching good football. The type of soccer played by Arsenal Fc and Manchester City of England. Arsenal Fc in the English premier league is my favorite team in the world.

Calling:
Pope John Paul II (1978-2005) was a priest par excellence and I always to become a priest like him. Coming from Africa, I consider myself a missionary to the US. Growing up in Africa, there were many missionaries from Europe and America who evangelized us. It is time for the Church in Africa to also help out in the West. I enjoy learning the different theologies of the Church. The brotherhood in the seminary is also great. Our vocation directors are very helpful.

Interest:
I enjoy running, soccer, squash, hiking, and most sports. When I’m not playing sports, I enjoy: reading and writing; playing piano or learning guitar; and drinking a whole lot of coffee.

Calling:
“The original discernment retreat lasted 10 seconds…Christ walked along the shore, called, and 12 brave men answered” I was blessed to hear these words at a vocations retreat and graced to respond to them! It’s God who calls us, our only response should be Mary’s joyful Fiat. The life God has prepared for those who follow him is immeasurably greater than anything we could imagine.

Interest:
I was a working Musician before entering the seminary, playing the Piano, Organ, and Singing. I still enjoy playing music when time allows. I also enjoy going to the movies, going for long walks when the weather is nice, and dining with friends.

Calling:
I had great, holy Priests in my life that helped me discern this calling. I felt drawn to the life of the Priest, the work of the Priest, and his relationship with his flock. Without question, it can be a difficult choice to make. However, Jesus Christ comes to us in the power of prayer and the sacraments. He will guide us every step of the way. My time in the seminary has been the most fulfilling part of my life. I look forward to the Priesthood with great joy!

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.”

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
College: Newbury College
Hometown: Dedham, Massachusetts, USA

Interest:
I very much enjoy watching and playing sports such as football and baseball. I also enjoy throwing a frisbee around as well. I also enjoy listening to music and going to concerts. I like reading and watching lectures on history, specifically military history. I also very much enjoy spending time with my family and friends, they are great at helping me to stay grounded.

Calling:
The Lord called and I answered. It seems like an oversimplification, but when I heard God call me, it was the culmination of a series of events throughout the course of my life, especially my last two years of college, and the prayers of so many people around me. People around my home parish including the pastor at the time, they saw something in me that I didn’t quite see in myself at the time. It took some time but a lot of time spent in prayer was necessary.

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.

Interest:
I have always enjoyed, and since entering seminary reading and studying theology has been a great joy. In particular I am interested in the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas and thinkers who have followed after him. I also like to always have a novel or some other interesting non-fiction work that I am working through. I enjoy playing sports, running, and spending time with friends.

Calling:
I began discerning a call to the priesthood following the annual Discernment Retreat with the Archdiocese of Boston. I realized then for the first time in my life that it was an actual possibility that God may be calling me to be a priest and I began praying about it. Eventually, God gave me the desire to be a priest, and it was really from this desire that the decision to enter the seminary came.

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.

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.

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.