Preparing Future Priests

God’s faithfulness continues through all generations.

We are blessed by our pastors who devote their lives to serving the Church in northern Colorado. And so with grateful hearts we invest in young men who will become our next generation of priests.

St. John Vianney Theological Seminary and Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary are housed on the same campus with the chancery offices of the Archdiocese at the John Paul II Center in Denver. Also there is a new Spirituality Year house for seminarians, constructed in 2009 with financial support provided through The Catholic Foundation.

The Foundation stewards gifts for both seminaries through A New Harvest, the capital and endowment campaign to sustain the important ministry of preparing future priests.

Paul’s Story

“I started a band so I could become a rock star.”

Now Paul laughs at the thought.

“I didn’t really want to go to seminary, but I thought God was calling me to do it. I took a leap of faith and interviewed for it. And they accepted me. So I quit everything—my job, my dating, my band.”

It was a bold move for a young guy who had only recently found his faith.

From Agnostic to Catholic

“I was agnostic my whole life. My family wasn’t religious at all. But when I turned 25, I accepted Christ as my savior. Two years later, I became Catholic. I read my way into the Catholic Church through the Catechism and the Scriptures.”

Three months after his baptism, Paul went on a discernment retreat to consider whether he might be called to the priesthood. He decided that God had not called him to that path.

“I always assumed I’d get married and have a family. I almost got engaged twice. I had my stockbrocker’s license. But I kept thinking about the priesthood, so the Archbishop suggested that I apply to seminary and see what would happen.”

Spirituality Year

In 2009, Paul began his studies at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Along with his fellow freshmen, he started in the new Spirituality Year house, constructed with financial support provided through The Catholic Foundation.

He spent his Spirituality Year immersed in prayer, community life, spiritual studies and ministries of service to help him prepare for priestly life.

Boot Camp for the Soul

“Before seminary, I would go to Mass a couple times a week. So doing it daily was like going to boot camp. But it’s what my soul needed. It really formed my prayer life. It transformed my life by helping me form virtues and root out vices.”

As Paul continues to attend seminary and prayerfully discern his calling, he feels drawn to work with youth.

“I hope that my life experience gives me the ability to identify with kids a little more. Youth are under a really heavy attack from moral relativism. Every child wants to be good, but it’s just hard to know how to do that in the culture that we live in right now.”

A Gifted Life

“I can’t think of too many other guys who have given up what I have—not that I want to sound proud—but it’s the best thing I ever did. I would be so upset with myself, knowing what I know now, if I hadn’t come to seminary. It would be the biggest regret of my life.

“Christ is the one that moves all our hearts. And I had great witnesses in my life. They didn’t necessarily know all the right things to say to me, but they were great examples. I want to make sure that my rock is Christ, so he can show through me.”

Paul’s name has been changed to respect privacy.

Giving Catalog

If you are inspired to support The Catholic Foundation in preparing future priests, please browse our Giving Catalog of opportunities.

Or, if you are still exploring your options, take a few moments to consider: What Inspires You?