Spurred by my experience, I sought out the Newman Center at my college. There, I encountered people who showed me the joy of a life rooted in Christ. As my faith deepened, so did my desire to share it. 

Recognizing the profound hunger for Christ among college students, I felt called to a two-year volunteer missionary experience that significantly changed my life. Over time, I became aware that what drew me was not simply ministry, but the priesthood itself. I was attracted to the sacramental identity of the priest, to being configured to Christ the Good Shepherd in a lifelong, public way through service, sacrifice, and spiritual fatherhood. In the months that followed, I noticed a new steadiness in my prayer, a greater desire for silence and discipline, and an increasing desire to place my entire life at the service of others.

Reflecting on how God has shaped me, I see how inseparable my story is from the life of the Church. Being formed within missionary communities and surrounded by diverse expressions of faith taught me humility, listening, and presence. The Church is where I encountered Christ, and it is where I desire to give my life.

I want to be a priest with a missionary heart, one who seeks out the lost sheep, walks with those on the margins, and builds bridges that lead people back to Christ. I desire to help create spaces where individuals can encounter the love, mercy, and joy of Jesus Christ… the truest and most fulfilling joy any person can receive. This is the life I feel called to live: not one of comfort, but one poured out in love.