As the day of my diaconal ordination approaches, I look back on my life even as I begin to focus more and more on my upcoming ministry. There is undoubtedly a sense of relief in knowing that this phase of my seminary formation is coming to an end, which cannot help but fill me with much joy as I continue to receive the affirmation of the Church and God’s people that this is indeed what I am called to do.
It has certainly been a long journey of faith for me, not only from the early desires of my childhood, which were already moving me towards priesthood but in a more focused way from my early teens as I also began to feel a call to the military chaplaincy. I think God had already started to prepare me for this ministry with a natural sense of justice and patriotism, which seemed to more readily convince me to accept this specified area of service to God and Country.
My time studying philosophy at the Franciscan University of Steubenville was also foundational in my preparation for Holy Orders, not only in academic formation but also in large part to my ongoing human and spiritual formation. From there, I began to be fostered in the great spiritual and liturgical traditions of the Church through my time in seminary, where I formed some strong and lasting friendships as I prayed, served, and lived together with other young men, all striving to configure our lives after the pattern of Christ the Good Shepherd.
I found myself inspired by the life and example of St. Damian of Molokai, whom I chose back in high school as a patron and my Confirmation Saint. St. Damian followed God’s call to leave everything behind and devote himself entirely to ministry to a small, largely forsaken community of lepers, which he did faithfully until he died from leprosy himself, some years later.
I knew that I might be called to do something similar – though perhaps less heroic – not only in my service to the Diocese of Corpus Christi but also as I began to undertake some additional ministry with the Archdiocese for the Military Services. It is my hope and prayer that my life can be a force for good as I strive, by the grace of God, to build up the Body of Christ, which is the Church. But I also recognize that this will not be possible without the prayers and support of the Church and Her members, so I ask that you kindly remember me in your prayers so that I can be found as a faithful steward when the Master finally returns on the last day.