Tell us your vocation story.
I started to grow in a personal relationship with Christ toward the end of my senior year of high school. After graduating, I went to Carroll University to study Marketing. During my first semester, I began attending the St. Pius X (SSPX) chapel in Mukwonago, where I was first introduced to sacred music, reverent liturgy, and the depth of the Church’s tradition. However, once I learned more about the background and situation of the Society, I discerned that it was best to step away and attend the parish right by my dorm on campus.
Shortly after, I began to get involved with campus ministry. I started to pray the rosary more frequently, attended mass regularly, and frequently went to confession. One day I was approached by the sacristan at my parish and asked if I would consider altar serving. At the time, I had never thought about it—my assumption was that altar serving was only for young children, and I wondered how I could possibly fit into that role. I'm still unsure why I said yes in that moment, but looking back, I realize this was a defining point in my life, in which Christ was asking me to trust Him in a new way and step forward into greater service.What began as a simple yes quickly turned into a profound love for the role. Every time I had the privilege to serve at the altar, I felt as though a secret was being shared with me. For the first time in my life, I began to recognize the heavenly reality of the sacred liturgy. It was no longer just a ritual I attended, but a glimpse into the very heart of the Church—into the mystery of Christ’s sacrifice, His presence, and His love for His people.
I became more involved in campus ministry at Carroll. We would gather weekly to pray the Rosary every Tuesday evening and participated in retreats with other Catholic groups from nearby campuses and Brew City Catholic, the parent group. The desire to serve and give more of myself to Him, continued to grow stronger as I encountered Christ more profoundly in the lives of those around me. This all culminated in a profound and intimate encounter with our Lord at SEEK. In December of my sophomore year I attended the SEEK Conference in Utah, surrounded by over 17,000 fellow Catholics. Despite the size of the crowd, the room was wrapped in a profound silence as we knelt before the Blessed Sacrament. The love and devotion for our Lord was tangible, filling the space with a sacred intensity that I had never experienced before. As the monstrance was lifted high and processed through the crowd, I felt a wave of peace and presence wash over me—a confirmation, once again, that Christ was not distant, but deeply personal and near. In the midst of thousands, it felt as though He was looking directly at me.
I spent the rest of my sophomore year praying with this experience, wrestling with what it meant and where it was leading me. Despite my fears and uncertainties, the invitation persisted. Little by little, the Lord gave me the trust I needed. And in late May, with a mixture of trembling and peace, I asked for the application.
What is the greatest challenge facing a man considering seminary?
One of the greatest challenges for a man considering the seminary is navigating the misunderstandings of others. Many friends simply don’t know what seminary formation entails, and this unfamiliarity can lead to a lack of support—not out of ill will, but because the path is foreign to them. This is especially true regarding the call to celibacy, which our culture often views with confusion or suspicion. Helping others understand that celibacy is not a rejection of love but a deeper expression of it requires patience and trust. Remaining steady in one’s discernment, even amid these misunderstandings, becomes an important part of learning to rely more fully on Christ.
What is your favorite Psalm verse and why?
Psalm 133: 1: “A song of ascents. Of David. How good and how pleasant it is, when brothers dwell together as one!”
This passage reminds me of the need to grow in fraternity with my seminarian brothers and friends centered in the love of the Father.
What are your favorite activities outside of the seminary?
I love to golf, play some basketball, and when on break, hang out with friends at Carroll University.
Where do you like to go pray?
There is a small chapel on the third floor of the seminary. It is usually quiet, empty, and intimate. Although this is not the easiest, it proves for me to be the most effective environment to allow myself to sit at the foot of the cross and allow the Lord to work in me.
Where do you do your best studying?
The library on campus or when preparing for finals, with others
Which saint should people ask to intercede for your vocation?
St.Charles Borromeo who is the patron of seminarians. St.William of Perth who is the patron of adopted children.