Growing up as a cradle Catholic, I never imagined the priesthood as a path for my life. Faith was familiar, but the idea of a vocation to Holy Orders felt distant and unlikely. That changed during my freshman year at the University of Texas at Dallas, when being far from home pushed me to seek a deeper spiritual anchor. I soon discovered the University Catholic Center and began attending events, gradually finding a community that felt like home. When a friend of mine, Miguel, and I signed up for lector and extraordinary minister training (only to discover we were the only two who showed up), our chaplain, Fr. Tymo, casually asked which of us would also begin altar serving, since the parish had so few servers. I immediately declined, convinced I could never see myself serving at the altar. But Miguel simply shrugged and said, “Why not?” His openness nudged me past my hesitation, and we both completed the training. From that moment on, serving at the foot of the altar became part of my daily rhythm. Participating in the Liturgy in such an intimate way opened my eyes to the beauty and mystery of the Mass in ways I had never experienced before. I found myself drawn repeatedly back to the chapel, lingering before the Lord in quiet prayer. In that silence, something new began to stir: a subtle but persistent call that felt both unfamiliar and compelling. Over the weeks and months that followed, the sense of invitation only deepened. Through St. Andrew dinners, countless conversations with priests, friends, and seminarians, and a growing peace in prayer, I began to recognize that the Lord might truly be calling me to serve Him as a priest. What once seemed impossible slowly became a source of joy and purpose.
I joined the High Calling Program halfway through the year after hearing about it from my mom, even as I was already moving through the seminary application process. Niall and Dr. Hollcraft welcomed me with remarkable generosity, and I was deeply impressed by the depth and quality of the courses. Each module not only confirmed the call I sensed from the Lord but also expanded my understanding and love for Him and for the gift of Holy Orders. The program became a place of formation, encouragement, and fraternity, allowing me to walk alongside men who were also seeking God’s will with sincerity. I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to learn from such gifted teachers and to grow within a community that has strengthened my desire to follow Christ wherever He leads.