Meet the young men discerning their call to the priesthood.
Jonathan Amgott, from St. Charles Borromeo in Arlington, attends Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md.
What did you do prior to entering seminary? As a lawyer for nearly eight years, I worked for a law firm, federal trial and appellate judges, and the U.S. Department of Justice. In the last job, my litigation responsibilities included research, writing, negotiating and speaking in court.
My favorite aspect of legal work was collaborating with terrific colleagues. And in a couple of workplaces, I particularly enjoyed leading small prayer groups attended by coworkers.
What influenced your decision to apply for seminary entrance? For over a decade, I repeatedly experienced a desire to consider the priesthood, and I made a couple of visits to seminaries, but each time it didn’t seem like the right fit for different reasons.
That changed after a surprising experience of evangelization, which sparked a burning desire to consider this path again more seriously. I prayed about it often; discussed it with my spiritual director, vocations director, other priests, seminarians, friends and family; read a discernment book; attended an ordination; and visited a seminary again. This time, God granted me peace and joy with moving forward.
Why do you want to be a priest? People are so hungry for meaning, for healing and for love, yet they often look for these things in the wrong places. I am firmly convinced that true peace is found in the redeeming love of our God alone. So, I want to win new hearts to Jesus and to draw all hearts ever closer to his. Men and women in every vocation can do this, but priests do so in a uniquely important way, full time.
What are your favorite pastimes? In addition to spending time with family and friends, I like building further community by giving people the opportunity to make new friends with fellow parishioners, neighbors, or coworkers, for example over a meal or game night.
I have always enjoyed running, and lately I have branched out into mini triathlons. There’s nothing like the exhilaration (and exhaustion) of swimming, biking, then running.
My experience acting in plays growing up spurred me to develop a couple of one-act plays. I have enjoyed producing them with friends and coworkers in backyards, at dinner parties and even on the National Mall.
What’s the hardest thing for you to leave behind for seminary? As I considered a potential vocation to marriage, I was blessed with good Catholic relationships, so at first, it was difficult to discontinue dating in order to focus on discernment of the priesthood. But as the Holy Spirit continues to draw me toward priestly service to the Bride of Christ, the church, I have found great freedom in abandoning myself to God’s plans.
Joseph Chester, from St. John the Evangelist in Warrenton, attends St. John Paul II Seminary in Washington.
What did you do prior to entering seminary? I completed my senior year of high school and continued working at the local Chick-Fil-A. I was involved in the parish youth group and a frequent altar server.
What influenced your decision to apply for seminary entrance? The holy example of several priests and seminarians. These men exhibited great joy in pursuing their vocation and it encouraged me to be open to the priesthood, and ultimately applying to the diocese. Prayer and time before the Blessed Sacrament also influenced me as it increased a desire to know and follow Jesus within my heart.
Why do you want to be a priest? I want to become a priest, if it be the will of God, to bring the love and mercy of Jesus to the world in this ministerial way. I also want to help prepare the world for the coming of Jesus.
What are your favorite pastimes? Playing sports like baseball and basketball. Hiking with friends and playing chess are two more pastimes I enjoy.
What are you most looking forward to in seminary? I’m most looking forward to the prayer life and continued discernment. Maintaining a prayer life is a great challenge, so I look forward to a more routine and organized prayer life. Also, the fraternity and brotherhood among the seminarians is an aspect I am very excited to experience.
When did you first feel called to the priesthood? The first time I felt the call to the priesthood or became interested in it as a possible vocation was when I began altar serving around age 8. The great example of many parish priests I grew up knowing inspired me to investigate the call.
Peter Darnell, from the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington, attends St. John Paul II Seminary in Washington.
What did you do prior to entering seminary? Before entering seminary, I graduated from Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington. I played tennis for my high school team, and I worked as a tennis instructor during the summer.
What influenced your decision to apply for seminary entrance? For a while my plan was to do what I wanted to do before seriously discerning priesthood. I thought I should have a job, girlfriend or college degree, and if that didn’t work, I could do what the Lord was calling me to. I realized that if the Lord was calling me to priesthood, I shouldn’t spend my time doing things contrary to his will. With this in mind, I began to pray for my vocation, and in December of my senior year, I applied to seminary.
Why do you want to be a priest? Being surrounded by priests through altar serving gave me a new appreciation. Altar serving helped me take a priestly vocation seriously. I had a newfound attraction to the priesthood, as a vocation of heroism and adventure. At times, the call to priesthood feels deeply rooted in my identity. If priesthood is what I am made for, I trust it will fulfill me.
What are your favorite pastimes? I enjoy waterskiing, reading and playing roundnet. Unfortunately, most of my favorite activities are contingent on hot weather. If I had the choice, I would want it to be 80 degrees all the time.
What advice would you give to a young person thinking about their vocation? Do not be afraid or indifferent to the possibility of priesthood or religious life. Trust that the Lord has a plan for you, and that his plan is good.
How old were you when you first started sensing a call to the priesthood? I remember when I was in seventh grade a priest came into my class to tell us his vocation story. He talked about how he heard a knocking on his heart and I realized I had the same feeling. From that point on, I couldn’t imagine my future without the priesthood.
Daniel Moreno, from St. Patrick Church in Fredericksburg, attends Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md.
What did you do prior to entering seminary? I was a film student and worked in the film industry.
What influenced your decision to apply for seminary entrance? A burning desire to follow the Lord into the unknown, which was kindled by the Lord through constant prayer and self-sacrifice.
Why do you want to be a priest? So I can entirely give my life to Christ for the salvation of others.
What are your favorite pastimes? Going to the park, hiking and playing the drums.
If you could be anyone in the Gospels, who would it be? If I could be any person who interacted with Jesus, it would be St. John the Beloved for his intimate relationship with Christ.
When did you first feel called to the priesthood? I first felt the call when I was 21; I was intimidated by the thought of becoming a priest and thought that it didn’t make sense. But over time I gave in to the Lord’s constant nudge toward discernment and began to slowly open myself to his holy will.
Teko G. Teko-Agbo, from Queen of Apostles in Alexandria, attends Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md.
What did you do prior to entering seminary? I worked as a case worker for the Department of Social Services — Child and Adult Protective Services in Buffalo, N.Y. Prior to that, I was a seminarian for the Diocese of Buffalo, N.Y., and before that I was discerning with the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. I am happy to be a seminarian for the Diocese of Arlington where my family lives.
What influenced your decision to apply for seminary entrance? I believe that God called me to be a priest. Now, this call was manifested through different circumstances and events in my life that are too coincidental to be accidental. In these events, I understand and believe that it was God sustaining and guiding my vocation.
Why do you want to be a priest? My desire to be a priest is a response to God’s call. Above all, I am trying to do God’s will.
What are your favorite pastimes? I love inter-cultural interactions; I always seize the opportunity to talk to someone of a different cultural background. I also love to visit parks and hike. I love to disassemble electronics if they are broken and put them together. I am always adding some new electronic to my car.
