Sixth-grader Daniel Duca is what Art Fairweather, principal of St. John the Evangelist School in Warrenton, calls an “Iron Man of the Lord.”

The 12-year-old at St. John has attended daily Mass or received Communion every day since his first Communion May 5, 2007.

When Father John H. Melmer, now parochial vicar of All Saints Church in Manassas, gave Daniel his first Communion, the priest challenged the youths to go to Mass as much as possible, Daniel said.

“That night me and my dad went home and my dad asked me if I wanted to try to go to Mass every day and I said, ‘yeah,’” Daniel said.

According to Daniel’s mother, Pamela, the impressive streak has lasted through vacations, ice storms, early mornings and lots of searching on masstimes.org.

“Sometimes it’s been challenging, but God’s always found a way,” Pamela said.

Once, when the family was visiting Atlanta, an ice storm closed the nearby basilica where Daniel had intended to attend Mass, Pamela said. They left Atlanta, heading back home, and found an evening Mass 230 miles north on I-85 at Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, N.C. Another time, when visiting relatives in Puerto Rico, Daniel missed Mass because it was listed at the wrong time. After a three-hour search, Daniel said he ended up finding a priest who would give him the Eucharist.

“There have just been little things like that where it’s always seemed to work out,” Pamela said. “Every time, God has found a way.”

While Daniel has been a consistent daily communicant for more than four years and eight months, he also is involved with plenty of other activities. He is a Boy Scout and an actor; he’s on the St. John wrestling team and plays travel soccer. He’s dabbled in tennis and track and also makes straight As.

Daniel said he will continue to attend daily Mass as long as he can, adding that listening to the homilies makes him a better, nicer person.

Pamela agreed.

“He is a normal kid and he still has his own kid issues, but I think going to church really helps him a lot,” she said. “If you receive Jesus every day, then no matter what comes into your life you’re going to have that strength to keep going.”

Fairweather said Daniel is an example for parents and peers alike.

“Daniel is a fine young man with a very strong moral compass,” Fairweather said. “He has become a leader in the sixth grade, and his piety and devotion are a model for all here at St. John the Evangelist School.”