Hometown: Brownsville, TX
Year in Formation: First Year
High School: St. Joseph Academy (Brownsville, TX), 2023
College: Holy Cross College (Notre Dame, IN), 2027
Favorite Subject: Theology
Patron Saint: St. Joseph
Favorite Movies: Sister Act 1&2, Ratatouille, The Two Popes, Olympus Has Fallen
Favorite Books: The Catechism of the Catholic Church, Letters to my Brother Priests by Pope St. John Paul II, the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, The Queen by Andrew Morton
Favorite Music: Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, ND Liturgy Choir
Hobbies: Running, Reading, Drinking Coffee, Hand Writting Letters, Watching the Crown, Expanding my Knowledge on Divine Liturgy, Managing Social Media Accounts, Graphic Design
Most Memorable Prayer/Liturgy you have Attended: This past Easter Vigil at my parish. There was just so much joy and praise for the Lord at the celebration of his Resurrection. It honeslty made me emotional to see just how happy the faithful were to sing Alleluia.
Place of Pilgrimage you Most Want to Visit and why: I would really like to visit Fatima. Since I was in elementary school, I’ve had a strong devotion to Our Lady of Fatima and to the Rosary, so I would like to visit the place where she gave this beautiful message of praying the rosary everyday to Santos Francisco, Jacinta, and Lucia.
Favorite Way to Pray: the Mass and Eucharistic adoration
Favorite Devotion: the Blessed Virgin Mary
What drew you to Holy Cross? Two of the major things that drew me to Holy Cross were the sense of community and the mission of education. I’ve always been a strong supporter of Catholic education because I know how important it is to the formation of young children into true followers and believers in Christ. I find that it’s through a Catholic education that not only are young boys and girls taught the fundamentals of their faith, but are taught how to be the next generation of disciples, leaders, and all around good adults.
Your Vocation Story: I’ve known since I was in fourth grade that I wanted to be a priest. I didn’t know what kind of priest I wanted to be untill the summer between my junior and senior year of high school, when I participated in the Summer Seminary Immersion Program (SSIP). It was then that I felt this strong calling to the Congregation of Holy Cross. After many hours in front of the Blessed Sacrament, I decided to apply and was accepted to the Old College Undergraduate Seminary program.
Favorite Verse: “It is good to give thanks to the Lord” – Psalm 92:2
Favorite Quote: Sursum Corda — “Lift up your Hearts” (from the opening of the Preface Dialogue)
How can visitors to this page pray for you? I ask that you please pray for not only my discernment, but the dicsernment of my brothers in formation. I also ask you to pray that more young men will open their hearts to God’s call to be a Holy Cross brother or priest. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be!