Hometown: Plainfield, Illinois
Year in Formation: 1st Year Temporarily Professed
College: University of Notre Dame
College Major: Theology and Philosophy
Patron Saint: John the Evangelist
Favorite Movie: Jojo Rabbit, Amadeus, Casablanca, First Reformed
Favorite Books: Till We Have Faces, by C.S. Lewis; The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway; The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas; The Diary of a Country Priest, by Georges Bernanos
Favorite Music: Bastille, Florence + the Machine, James Bay
Hobbies: movies, reading, sports
Most Memorable Prayer or Liturgy you have Attended: First Vows
Place of Pilgrimage you Most Want to Visit: The Holy Land, particularly the Church of the Nativity.
Favorite Way to Pray: Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Favorite Devotion: Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
What drew you to Holy Cross? The communal life, the educational charism, and the spirituality of Bl. Basil Moreau
Your Vocation Story: I began hearing God’s call explicitly towards the end of high school, but was too afraid of it to respond until my college years. I could recognize and appreciate the gift and beauty of the priesthood, but I feared the gift of self it requires. Through plenty of discernment and prayer, particularly time in Adoration and devotion to the Blessed Mother, God opened my heart to at least try to answer His call. My junior year I entered formation with the Diocese of Joliet and lived in Old College. My time in Old College was a great gift, for there I found a group of peers who were also striving to grow as disciples and answer the Lord’s call in their own lives. It also afforded me the chance to get to know Holy Cross better. The more I saw of Holy Cross’ mission, spirituality, and close communal life, the more I was drawn to discern religious life. My senior year I withdrew from the Diocese and entered formation with Holy Cross.
Favorite Scripture: “In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” – John 16:33
Favorite Spiritual or Saint Quote: “I am certain that even if I had on my conscience every imaginable crime, I should lose nothing of my confidence; rather I would hurry with a heart broken with sorrow, to throw myself into the arms of my Jesus.” -St. Thérèse of Lisieux
How can visitors to this page pray for you? That the Sacred Heart of Jesus may teach me to love as He does.