First year seminarians on their Path to Priesthood spend time volunteering throughout the Archdiocese of Denver to put into practice their “gift of self.”
Groups of seminarians visit parishes, schools and the Catholic senior facility, the Gardens at St. Elizabeth, to spend time praying and teaching while they continue to discern their calling during their spirituality year, said Father Brady Wagner, formator at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary.
Here are some thoughts about their mission in their own words.
What do you hope to bring to the students, teachers, and staff at your assigned Catholic school by your presence?
Our mission at Most Precious Blood [Catholic School] is to “humanize the collar.” Already the students and teachers are recognizing us by name. If they can recognize Christ in us, then that is all I could ask and hope to have done!
– Seminarian James Joseph, volunteer at Most Precious Blood
How has your volunteer experience with the apostolate complemented or enhanced your spirituality journey this year?
I think that this experience gives a goal as well as an opportunity for practice, actually ministering and doing the work of a priest. It is also a great measure for progress as the year goes on seeing how the experience changes with the graces you’ve received.
– Seminarian Thomas Ruhland, volunteer at Assumption Catholic School
Have you had a memorable or funny moment with the students or teachers at your assigned Catholic school?
One day, I was answering questions from the third-grade class, and we got to the topic of the Holy Spirit being represented as a dove in art. Then one of the students asked if the Holy Spirit is present in Dove shampoo. I said no, but everyone got a good laugh from it
– Seminarian Jacob Schepp, volunteer at Christ the King Catholic School
The Archdiocese of Denver is forming 119 young men on their Path to Priesthood. Please help them on their journey by making a gift to the Annual Seminaries’ Appeal at archden.org/futurepriests.
