Formation Stage

Discipleship Stage II

Home Parish

St. Polycarp, Stanton

Seminary

Bishop White Seminary

Favorite Saint(s)

Blessed Carlo Acutis, St. Thomas Aquinas

Favorite Marian Apparition(s)

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Favorite Book or Movie

The Imitation of Mary by Fr. Quan Tran

Favorite Hobby

Playing the Guitar

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?

I remember very distinctly, as a kid, my parents taking me to church every Sunday and seeing their devotion. Having great examples around me all the time, even though my family never really practiced their faith outside of Sunday Mass, was the early seedbed that formed me in the faith. I would also say living very humbly in the early years of my childhood gave me the awe and inspiration to serve other in necessity.

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

I thank my parents, who deeply supported my decision to join the seminary, but I probably wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for the holy priests who guided me since my freshman year of high school. Father Luis Segura was especially influential. I am eternally indebted to his advice and care, but most especially to the kindness and humility with which he inspired me to continue discerning. I also thank Msgr. Stephen Doktorczyk for guiding me during the earliest stages of my discernment and admittance into the seminary. Not only did they guide me, but they were—and continue to be—living examples of the kind of good priests I look up to.

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

My desire to at least explore the priesthood as a way of life was evident from a young age. To be honest, I don’t clearly remember the stories my mom tells about me wanting to be a priest as a child. But there is one moment I’ll never forget. After Sunday Mass one morning, I picked up a St. Joseph Sunday Missal and asked my dad to buy it. I was enamored with the Mass, and that love continued to grow. I remembered I wanted to do what the priest did. I’ve always felt complete freedom in choosing the life God wills for me and have never felt pressured to do His will. I am currently in the seminary to discern that will, and whether he asks me for the priesthood or for marriage, I pray that I never follow my own desires, but His.