Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Year in Formation: Collegian
College: Holy Cross College, Notre Dame, IN
College Major: Theology/philosophy
Patron Saint: St. John Berchmans/ St. Andre Bessette
Favorite Movies: 12 Strong, Rudy, Good Will Hunting
Favorite Books: “The Power and the Glory” by Graham Greene and “Friday Night Lights” by H.G Bissinger
Favorite Music: Country/ Folk- Mumford and Sons, Danielle Rose, Dylan Gossett, The Lumineers
Hobbies: Spending time with family, running, writing newspaper articles, golf, traveling, hiking, athletics, ND football, reading, cooking.
Most Memorable Prayer/Liturgy you have Attended: World Youth Day Closing mass in 2023, said by Pope Francis. Kneeling on the rock campsite, surrounded by millions of other young Catholics around the world, I realized that my faith wasn’t just limited to my school.. it was universal and it was beautiful.
Place of Pilgrimage you Most Want to Visit and why: Lourdes. One of my favorite places in the world is the Grotto at Notre Dame where I love to pray the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet. I think that it would be beautiful to see the exact site where St. Bernadette saw Our Lady of Lourdes and where countless miracles have happened since.
Favorite Way to Pray: Ignatian Contemplation. Being able to put myself in the bible passages with Jesus standing beside me as a friend rather than a ruler has been extremely important for my prayer life. I have also done it by imagining that I am standing next to St. Andre Bessette as he greeted each and every churchgoer at the Oratory of St. Joseph as well as each of the sick that he saw. This is a beautiful reminder of how I should show compassion to every person that I see in whatever stretch of life I encounter them. They are precious and are God’s children.
What drew you to Holy Cross? For me, the emphasis on community life as well as a diversity in mission is what attracted me to the consecrated life in Holy Cross. This “Band of Brothers” was a major pull for someone like me who loves to be around others. I knew that I need a tight-knit group to anchor me on my spiritual journey, and I saw no better community of men than these in formation with the Congregation of Holy Cross. The diversity of apostolates is also what attracted me. I have always looked up to teachers as my most influential mentors, so the idea of being “Educators in the Faith” most certainly stood out to me. In addition, the prospect of serving in parishes or in Mission across the globe is something that makes Holy Cross so special- they serve so many people in a multitude of beautiful ways.
Favorite Scripture Passage: Luke 19:1-10. This is the passage of Zacchaeus, the wealthy tax collector and short man who was too short to see Jesus and climbed the sycamore tree to see him. His utter disbelief after Jesus calls him is one that I felt when I first felt my vocation. I, like Zacchaeus, can oftentimes be a greedy tax collector but Jesus always invites me to welcome Him into my spiritual home.
Favorite Spiritual Quote: “Peace begins with a smile.” – Mother Teresa
How can visitors to this page pray for you? Please pray for me that I will be able to slow down and find true silence in my heart. I will be praying for all of you!