Melchizedek Jimenez

College Program - Freshman

Parish: Nativity of the Lord, Cudahy

Seminary: Immaculate Heart of Mary College Seminary

Birthday: August 1

Intercessor: St. Gregory Thaumaturgus

Tell us your vocation story. 

Since I was little I felt a pull on my heart. I did not have certainty but something in my life was longing for God. Even with being homeschooled for 4 years before high school I could still feel this continual push toward something bigger, greater. I even at one point told my family (while 9) that I wanted to be a priest. There was nothing more to my statement. Eventually I found out Saint Francis de Sales Seminary hosted some vocation camps and then after a couple I realized why I kept coming back. It was fun but at the camps during holy hour and prayer I felt true peace. As I grew the only time I would experience this peace is when I pray to the Lord in silence and connect my heart with his. Finally after many camps and some visits to IHM I decided I would do something. I told myself if God is calling me to the priesthood he will accept my application even with all my faults and weaknesses. If he was not calling me then, then he would reject my application. I gave it up to the Lord and prayed that it be his will whether or not I enter. Lo and behold God was calling me to the seminary. Turns out all I had to do was say yes.

What is the greatest challenge facing a man considering the seminary?

The greatest challenge facing a man considering the seminary is deciding whether or not to apply because you are unsure if you are being called to the priesthood. Seminary in my opinion is a deepening and a guiding path to see if you are meant to be a priest. Going into seminary is the main discernment part, since you pray to the Lord asking him to reveal his truth and eternal love to you and whether you are meant to stay.

What is your favorite Psalm verse and why?

My favorite Psalm verse is probably Psalm 56:5 (NAB) I praise the word of God; I trust in God, I do not fear. What can mere flesh do to me? I like this quote because it tells how powerful God is without directly saying it. Trusting in the Lord, what can flesh do to you? Nothing can harm you if you believe and follow him. Just like Jesus said, "If you have faith of a mustard seed you could tell this mulberry tree to uproot itself and be planted in the sea and it would do so."

What are your favorite activities outside of the seminary?

Some of my favorite activities outside of the seminary include hikes through the woods, soccer (even though I am just okay at it), hanging out with friends, and football.

Where do you like to go pray?

I love going to the chapel during Holy Hour. My heart outpours in love for God then and I feel the most alive then. It also happens to be where I get the most calm.

Where do you do your best studying?

I do my best studying in my room with ear plugs in. But I can study anywhere that is suitably quiet or study with a friend who is in the same class.

Which saint should people ask to intercede for your vocation?

I guess all saints would be the best to ask to intercede for my vocation, (since I need all the prayers I can get) but for a specific saint I would pray to my confirmation saint, Saint Gregory Thaumaturgus. He is patron saint of lost causes and against earthquakes, floods, and storms along with being invoked for lost causes and against heresy.