Formation Stage

Propaedeutic Year

Home Parish

San Francisco Solano, Rancho Santa Margarita

Seminary

Mount Angel Seminary

Favorite Saint(s)

Bl. (St.) Pier Giorgio Frassati, St. John Paul II, St. Maria Goretti

Favorite Marian Apparition(s)

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Favorite Book or Movie

Interstellar

Favorite Hobby

Rock Climbing

Background

What are some of the factors that led to your decision to enter the seminary and discern the question of a vocation to the priesthood?

The idea of the priesthood first came to me during my senior year at Santa Margarita Catholic High School, when I began asking deeper questions about how I wanted to live my life. As I grew more involved in ministry and my prayer life, I noticed a deep sense of peace and purpose. I was especially drawn to the joy I saw in priests who lived to serve and love their communities. At SDSU, my discernment grew stronger through new friendships, deeper formation, and a greater love for sharing the faith. Visiting seminaries helped confirm that this path resonated deeply with my heart.

Who are some of the people who influenced your decision to enter the seminary? What is it about them that assisted you?

Several priests have inspired my journey. At my home parish, Fr. Duy and Fr. Aristotle were the first examples of joyful, self-giving priests who lived Christ-centered lives. At SDSU, my chaplain Fr. Pedro (we just call him “Padre”) became a spiritual father to me, guiding me with care and showing me the beauty of shepherding others. I also drew inspiration from priests of a religious order — Fr. Matthew and Fr. Ignatius — whose prayerful and joyful lives gave me hope. My friends at the Newman Center, including my FOCUS missionary Tim Mellen, also impacted me deeply by encouraging me to live a childlike faith, even through my struggles.

Describe the moment that you knew you wanted to take the next steps to become a priest?

Though the thought of priesthood stirred in my heart during my senior year of high school, I initially pushed it aside, telling myself I’d consider it “later.” But that same week, I unexpectedly met Fr. Brandon Dang, the vocations director at the time, at an event. That encounter felt providential. I felt the tug to speak with him, and that conversation led to regular meetings and spiritual direction that helped me take concrete steps toward seminary and ultimately, toward pursuing the call God had placed on my heart.