This fall, there are five new diocesan seminarians studying for the priesthood. This brings the total number of diocesan seminarians to 42.
Tyler Boreani
Seminary: Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md.
Year of study: Propaedeutic
University: William & Mary in Williamsburg, bachelor’s in history; Regent University in Virginia Beach, master’s in law
Home parish: Sacred Heart of Jesus, Winchester
What did you do prior to entering seminary?
After graduating from William & Mary with a bachelor’s degree in history, I went to work for the Republican National Committee. Then I taught history and math, and coached track and field. During this time, I completed a master’s degree in law. After graduate studies, I went on an intensive pilgrimage to Italy, and applied to the seminary for the Diocese of Arlington upon my return.
What influenced your decision to apply for seminary entrance?
I had a host of life goals that were exceptionally secular. Throughout my life after college, the verse Luke 9:25 constantly remained in the back of my mind: “What does it profit a man to gain the world, but lose his soul?” This question forced me to reexamine more seriously each option I considered for my life. After more deeply discerning possible paths in line with the passage in Luke, it became clear that should apply to the seminary.
Why do you want to be a priest?
The Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen once wrote, “A priest is mysterious, because he lives in two worlds. He is at his best when he leads ‘a double life,’ at once both human and divine.” A priest’s role is two-fold; he brings God to man by means of the sacraments and brings man to God by means of teaching and acts of charity. My discernment has led me to believe God’s will for my life is precisely this two-fold purpose and I want to follow his will. I desire to be one of the bridges by which mankind can attain salvation.
What are your favorite pastimes?
I enjoy board games, reading, and frequenting the library. It is a place where I find great comfort as I can do anything from playing chess, to reading a great book, to researching an interesting topic. No doubt, this is why I majored in history.
What is your favorite quote?
“To be ignorant of what occurred before you were born is to remain always a child. For what is the worth of human life, unless it is woven into the life of our ancestors by the records of history?” Marcus Tullius Cicero, de Oratore
Who is your favorite saint and why?
My favorite saint is St. John, his Gospel is the most eschatologically interesting of the four gospels and his relationship with Christ’s mother is enviable. Further, St. John was the only apostle to stay with Our Lord through his passion and death, a level of faith that we should all desire to achieve.
What advice would you give to a young man thinking about the seminary?
As the angel Gabriel said to Our Blessed Mother, “Do not be afraid.” The church is here to discern with you and help you follow the will of God for your life.
John Mullin
Seminary: Mount St. Mary’s, Emmitsburg, Md.
Year of study: Propaedeutic
University: University of Virginia in Charlottesville
Home parish: St. John the Evangelist, Warrenton
What did you do prior to entering seminary?
I recently finished four years as a FOCUS missionary, serving at the University of Massachusetts and the University of Connecticut.
What influenced your decision to apply for seminary entrance?
For most of my life, I would tell others, myself and God himself that I trusted him, that I would move and respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. I became a more faithful Catholic in high school, college and even became a full-time missionary on college campuses. The smaller yeses gave me the grace to respond when I heard the Lord inviting me to apply to seminary. I knew it was another invitation to trust him and I know he’ll guide me.
Why do you want to be a priest?
Throughout my search for happiness in some of the wrong places, I know that only Jesus satisfies. People need to hear the Gospel. I desire to be used by him in whatever way he calls me.
What are your favorite pastimes?
My friends know this all too well, but I have a pastime of picking up new interests and hobbies all the time. Some that never go away are traveling, just being with friends, reading and playing sports (especially pickleball). I’m sure that list will grow soon.
What is your favorite quote?
I don’t have a particularly favorite quote but I’ve grown closer to St. Therese of Lisieux recently and her “Story of a Soul” is enriching. I’ll share a couple of my favorite quotes from her: “To limit your desires and your hopes is to misunderstand God’s infinite goodness.” and “Holiness consists simply in doing God’s will, and being just what God wants us to be.” There’s much depth here and I’m still discovering the richness of both quotes.
Who is your favorite saint and why?
St. Joseph. He is the man I desire to be and yet, his life is a big mystery. The church holds him in regard and all we know is he responded to the Lord’s invitations and was a good husband and father. Holiness is found right there and that still confounds me. I desire his life of virtue.
What advice would you give to a young man thinking about the seminary?
Stop thinking about the future and be with God in the present for this is where he dwells. Trust that he will be with you in your discernment and talk with him plainly. He is your Dad, loves you unconditionally and is on your side.
What’s the easiest thing for you to leave behind for seminary?
Entering into this first year, I’m looking forward to a media detox and opportunity for intentional silence to listen to the Lord’s voice. With all of the distracting noise in our world, I’ve seen how necessary it is to maintain daily contemplative prayer and it’s special to have it be a strong part of our schedule this year.
How did your parents react when you told them you were thinking of becoming a priest?
From dreams of becoming a sports star to being a politician to help the world, I have have been supported by my parents. When I opened the conversation with my parents, they kept their streak alive and fully supported my decision. They continue to pray for me in my discernment.
What are (were) you most looking forward to about seminary?
I’ve deeply appreciated the bonds of missionary brotherhood I gained during my time as a FOCUS missionary. I’m looking forward to becoming brothers with these other men discerning the priesthood in seminary. I know I’ll be able to lean on this new brotherhood as we go through the highs and lows.
If you could have been any person who interacted with Jesus while he was on earth, who would it be and why?
I have taken a liking to St. John the Apostle and desire my relationship with Jesus to resemble his. He was closest to Jesus during his Passion and always near his heart, garnering the name of the “Beloved.” I desire my path of holiness to be like his simple journey, being ever close to Jesus in prayer and sharing his name.
Camden Short
Seminary: St. John Paul II Seminary, Washington
Year of study: First college
University: The Catholic University of America in Washington
Home parish: All Saints Catholic Church, Manassas
What did you do prior to entering seminary?
I recently graduated from St. John Paul the Great Catholic High School in Potomac Shores. While going to school, I ran cross country, led a trivia club and a Bible study, became an Eagle Scout, and worked as a server at Red Lobster. Being an altar server is probably the most relevant experience I have for the seminary and the priesthood.
What influenced your decision to apply for seminary entrance?
There were two things in particular that pushed me to apply to seminary. The first was the Quo Vadis Camp that I attended between junior and senior years of high school. It was the first time I met many of the seminarians, and it opened my eyes to the entire concept of college seminary, the seminarian life (including their prayer life), and the idea of applying to seminary. We also prayed the Liturgy of the Hours, a whole rich aspect of the faith I hadn’t known before.
The second was World Youth Day in Lisbon later that same summer. Spending such time in prayer and adoration helped me discern God’s call for me and convinced me to apply to seminary.
Why do you want to be a priest?
Simply put, the priesthood is where I feel called. When my serious discernment began, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be a priest, but as I spent more and more time praying to desire God’s will for me, the priesthood started seeming cooler and cooler. Now, there’s no job I’d rather want. The part of priesthood I desire most is the consecration of the Eucharist.
What are your favorite pastimes?
I love to play music in my room, specifically on my cello. I like creating games and writing stories, sometimes dabbling in the realm of mini-movies. I also like tennis, biking, movies and video games.
What is your favorite quote?
“There is some good in this world … and it’s worth fighting for.” Sam Gamgee
Who is your favorite saint?
There are three that really stand out to me: St. John Bosco, St. Augustine and St. John Paul the Great. Don Bosco is my confirmation saint because he inspires me to use my gifts and humor for spreading the Gospel. St. Augustine, one of the church’s most brilliant minds, had a long spiritual journey; I can look to him in times of desolation. St. John Paul the Great, aside from being a smart and amazing guy, has been the patron of my past two schools, so he has a big role in my life as a model of holiness.
What advice would you give to a young man thinking about the seminary?
As much as I hated to hear, “You’ll know when the time comes,” it rings true. Patience was difficult when waiting for an answer in discernment. The most important part is keeping up a solid prayer life, spending more time in the chapel or in adoration. And, of course, the book, “To Save a Thousand Souls,” by Father Brett Brannen is a must-read for discerners.
Any other fun facts for people to know about you?
I once ran an ice cream stand, and in middle school I published a kids book on space, “Our Super Solar System.”
What’s the easiest thing for you to leave behind for seminary?
The hardest thing to leave behind for seminary is my family. I’ve got awesome parents who have been there for me from the very beginning. My two older brothers, though I’m used to them being away, are always fun to have back home. Many of my hobbies, especially my story making, developed because of the enormous amount of time I spent playing with my little sister. Though they’ll remain a huge part of my life, the setting change will certainly take some getting used to.
How old were you when you first started sensing a call to the priesthood?
I was probably about 5 years old when I first felt the call to priesthood. I don’t really know why. But ever since then, the vocation has popped in and out of my life. Sometimes I wanted to be an ice cream maker; sometimes I wanted to be an author; sometimes I wanted to be a game designer; but the call remained, and when I grew deeper in my prayer life in high school, the vocation grew stronger and more solid than ever.
What would you say is the relationship between your prayer and your discernment?
My prayer life took off in high school. Before high school, I thought being a good Catholic meant I went to Mass, said grace before meals, and held the door for the next guy, and then I’d go to heaven. High school unveiled a deeper level to Catholicism I had never known. I slowly and steadily made progress in my prayer life there, and at the same time my discernment was slowly and steadily becoming more solid. Prayer led to discernment, and discernment led to more prayer.
What are (were) you most looking forward to about seminary?
I’m most looking forward to the prayer routine in seminary. I’m not the best at sticking to new habits on my own. Daily Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours, and holy hours would all be great things for me to get into a habit of doing, and the seminary schedule will make sure I do them. It looks like the perfect way to get into these holy habits and grow closer to God.
Danny Usewick
Seminary: Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md.
Year of study: Propaedeutic
University: Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa.
Home parish: St. Rita Church, Alexandria
What did you do prior to entering seminary?
Prior to entering seminary, I spent the past almost decade building out a career in the corporate world. For the first several years of my career I worked in consumer marketing for PayPal before later transitioning into a sales recruiter role for a roofing and solar company.
What influenced your decision to apply for seminary entrance?
The first distinct memory I have of considering priesthood came just a few years ago in adoration during a Lenten silent retreat. I experienced extreme consolation when contemplating the priestly life, and a peace unlike any I had ever felt before came upon me. It was right then and there that I believe my vocational calling was revealed to me by God, even though I was not quite ready or willing to accept it at the time.
This experience came as a bit of a surprise to me, as I was still in the early stages of my reversion back to the church and had never considered the priesthood nor had it ever really been presented to me as an option up to that point. Since that time, God has continued to open doors and has placed the right people in my life to inspire in me a further desire to apply to seminary and take the next step toward priesthood.
Why do you want to be a priest?
To put it simply: because I believe that the Lord has given me clear signals that he wants me to be a priest.
What are your favorite pastimes?
I played college baseball and still maintain a passion for America’s pastime. It is a beautiful game that has taught me many valuable life lessons. I also enjoy spending time out on the water — fishing, crabbing and boating.
What is your favorite quote?
“Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing frighten you. All things pass away. God never changes. Patience obtains all things. Whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices.” St. Theresa of Avila
Who is your favorite Saint and why?
St. Joseph. He is my model for the level of virtue that I strive to attain as a man, and he has been a powerful intercessor for me at significant points throughout my life.
What advice would you give to a young man thinking about the seminary?
You must respond by taking action and having the courage to step outside of your comfort zone. Go on seminary visits, speak to a vocations director, develop stronger spiritual practices, etc. Do not let fear dictate your discernment and trust that God will provide you with all that you need to fulfill this calling.
How old were you when you first started sensing a call to the priesthood?
I first sensed a calling to the priesthood in 2022 at the age of 28 during a Lenten silent retreat. At that time, it was the first Catholic retreat I had attended since my junior year of high school.
How did your parents react when you told them you were thinking of becoming a priest?
Their reactions were a bit mixed. It has understandably taken some time for them to fully wrap their heads around it. As time has passed though, they both have seemed to embrace my pursuit of the priesthood which has been a huge blessing.
What are (were) you most looking forward to about seminary?
I am most looking forward to the fraternal nature of seminary life and the bonds I hope to form with fellow seminarians who are journeying along the same path as me. My receptivity to this vocational call has in large part been influenced by other virtuous Catholic men who have encouraged me to pursue this path, so I recognize the importance of creating these bonds of friendship. Additionally, I am excited to be able to put my complete, undivided focus into growing in the four dimensions of formation.
Which Gospel passage best describes God’s call to you, and why?
“No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). This call to the priesthood is God’s call for my life. To fulfill this call it is important that I avoid the temptation to look back at past comforts of a former life and persevere ahead along the journey. The gradual process of further surrendering to the Lord’s will has gotten me to this point and will continue to lead me to where I need to go.
Matthew Wright
Seminary: Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md.
Year of study: Propaedeutic
University: Christendom College in Front Royal
Home parish: Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Winchester
What did you do prior to entering seminary?
I attended Christendom College in Front Royal and received a bachelor’s degree in philosophy as well as a minor in liturgical music. I then worked at a machine shop as a project manager for a year.
What influenced your decision to apply for seminary entrance?
I wanted to discern marriage first, but I realized that a call from God isn’t something that you can just put on hold. After experiencing a special call from God at the Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Ala., I realized that in order to truly put God first in my life I needed to follow the call I had been hearing and stop trying to distract myself from it.
Why do you want to be a priest?
I want to serve God’s people the way that Jesus did, through a life of self-sacrificial love and service. The priest is a frontline warrior on the spiritual battlefield, and I am inspired by the adventure and challenge that this vocation is. If God made me to be his priest, I trust he will guide me and fulfill me in it.
What are your favorite pastimes?
I love to be outdoors. I enjoy soccer, ultimate frisbee and ping pong, as well as hiking and rock climbing. I play the piano, and I’m always down for a good card or board game.
What is your favorite quote?
“This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (Jn 15:12-13)
Who is your favorite saint and why?
I was born on the feast of St. George and have always had a special devotion to him. Besides the legend of the dragon, St. George is known for being a Christian Roman soldier who tore in half Diocletian’s edict to persecute Christians in front of the emperor’s face. He suffered a martyr’s death because he would rather serve God than the world.
What advice would you give to a young person thinking about their vocation?
Pursue your primary vocation to holiness first, and your secondary vocation will come naturally. As long as you end all of your prayers in discernment with “Not my will, but thy will be done Lord,” you do not need to fear making the “wrong” choice; God will guide those who trust him.
How old were you when you first started sensing a call to the priesthood?
I was raised Catholic but when I was confirmed at age 14, the faith became much more real and important to me. My confirmation sponsor helped me to see how incredible and beautiful the Catholic faith is, and from then on, the priesthood was always on my mind.
Which Gospel passage best describes God’s call for you, and why?
“Therefore do not worry about your life and what you will eat, or about your body and what you will wear. For life is more than food and the body more than clothing” (Lk 12:22-23). God is always asking me to trust him more, and to not become distracted or worried by things that would take me away from him. Becoming a seminarian can seem daunting, but I trust that Jesus is leading me and will keep me close to him throughout this journey.
What are you most looking forward to about seminary?
Discerning and working together with other men who are experiencing the same call. I grew up as one of four boys, so competition and brotherly love have always helped me to thrive. I have been very inspired by the priests and seminarians of this diocese and am excited to learn from them and work with them.
How do you feel about possibly wearing black the rest of your life?
It sounds very hot. But I am colorblind, so it would fix the whole “Does this match?” problem. In all seriousness, it seems exciting to me to wear a special symbol of the amazing vocation that God has called his priests to.
