Hometown: Cranford, New Jersey
Year in Formation: Temporarily Professed – 1st Year in Vows
College: University of Notre Dame, 2021
College Major: Theology, Classics (Greek & Latin), Liturgical Music Ministry
Previous Jobs: Golf Caddie at Suburban Golf Club (Union, New Jersey)
Patron Saint: St. Vincent de Paul
Favorite Movies: Lord of the Rings, Rudy, A Man for All Seasons
Favorite Books: The Ring of the Nibelung by Richard Wagner, Symposium by Plato
Favorite Music: Wagner, Verdi, Mozart, Schubert, The Dubliners, The High Kings, Billy Joel, Skrillex, Frank Sinatra
Hobbies: Calligraphy, opera, languages, golf, running, making bread
Most Memorable Prayer/Liturgy you have Attended: Mass during Welcome Weekend 2017 on Bond Quad at Notre Dame
Place of Pilgrimage You Most Want to Visit and why: The Holy Land to experience the culture into which Our Savior was born
Favorite Way to Pray: Singin’ Songs!
Favorite Devotion: Divine Mercy
What drew you to Holy Cross? For as long as I can remember, I have always longed for deepening intimacy with God. Others have noticed this in me as well — a family member once told me when I was five that I would make a “good priest,” because I liked to talk with her about God. My longing for God and my growing awareness of His call for me to become His priest have persisted. When I arrived as a freshman at Holy Cross College, everything about this “great band of men” drew me in. From living with the brothers for a summer while doing research at Notre Dame to listening to folk music and translating Latin with Fr. Mike Sullivan, it is the love of God made manifest through my confreres in Holy Cross that calls me to proclaim a hopeful and generous “yes!” by the profession of my vows.
My journey of discerning God’s call for me has been in many respects due to the Holy Cross priests and brothers I’ve encountered throughout the years. When I lived for a summer at Columba Hall, I experienced community life with Holy Cross brothers. I learned of the many traditions and vast ministries of the Congregation. There are many ways God has tilled the soil of my soul so that my religious life might be one of growth and transformation alongside my brothers. Intellectually and spiritually, I have, in the spirit of Blessed Basil Moreau, cultivated my heart and mind through coursework, central to which has been my life of prayer and intimacy with God and neighbor. Also in the spirit of Basil Moreau, the cross and its being our only hope continue to gain deeper meaning for me as I grow as a religious of Holy Cross.
Your Vocation Story: I grew up in a big Italian family from New Jersey, wherein most liturgies (especially baptisms, marriages, and funerals) were followed by big family reunions and tons of good food. Attracted to priesthood and liturgy from a young age, I came to Holy Cross because we are a big, multi-cultural family who loves Jesus, one another, good food, and spreading this love in our mission of hope.
Favorite Verse: “Who do you say that I am?” – Matthew 16:15
Favorite Quote: “More will be revealed.”
How can visitors to this page pray for you? That all might be bold and generous in responding to God’s call.