Hometown: York, ME
Year in Formation: Postulant
High School: Seton Home Study School (Brentwood, NH), 2017
College: Mount St. Mary’s University (Frederick, MD), 2021
College Major: Economics, French, German
Previous Jobs: Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (Madagascar)
Patron Saint: St. Francis de Sales
Favorite Movie: The Iron Giant, Star Wars, Generation War
Favorite Books: Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas, Seven Story Mountain by Thomas Merton, To Flourish or Destruct by Christian Smith
Favorite Music: NF, Hulvey, Loud, Orelsan, Beethoven
Hobbies: Hiking, running, frisbee, reading, writing, working outside
Most Memorable Prayer/Liturgy you have Attended: I remember serving one Holy Thursday Mass at my local parish when I was about 15 or 16. There was something just so powerful during the Eucharistic procession at the end of Mass; I felt totally overwhelmed by the beauty of it all yet completely at peace. It was a moment where grace completely consumes you and everything is just right.
Place of Pilgrimage you Most Want to Visit and why: It was the shrine of Our Lady of Kibeho, Rwanda. But I was blessed to make a pilgrimage there in May of this year. So now it is Annecy, France. This was the home of St. Francis de Sales, my favorite saint, and I love the French Alps.
Favorite Way to Pray: Three-way tie: Holy Mass, going for a walk with a rosary or chaplet, Eucharistic adoration
Favorite Devotion: the Way of the Cross
What Drew you to Holy Cross:The charism of Holy Cross to be educators of the faith and Holy Cross’ spirituality were the two biggest draws at first. After visiting the seminary and getting to know more about the community’s ministries and meeting other men in formation, it felt like a place where I belonged and where I could contribute while also learning and growing. I found Holy Cross to be a community of men dedicated to the mission set before us. Seeing others dive into the charism greatly inspired me to pursue what felt like a powerful draw specifically to Holy Cross.
Your Vocation Story: I had thought about priesthood for a long time when I was younger and in high school, but it wasn’t until late college that I decided to take the big step and really discern in serious ways by reaching out to religious communities. Over the past year and a half of prayer and work in Madagascar, it became more and more clear that living in a strong brotherhood is where I’m meant to be. Discernment isn’t easy, but I always had the support and prayers of good friends and my family.
Favorite Verse: “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:13
Favorite Quote: “Lord, if your people need me, I will not refuse the work. Your will be done.” – St. Martin of Tours
How can visitors to this page pray for you? I would love if visitors could pray that I will be a good and supportive member of the community and for the other men in formation, that we are all open to growing deeper in our faith and becoming better and holier men — and to pray for my former students and fellow teachers in Madagascar.