I am the youngest of four children and was raised in Macon, Georgia. We attended St. Joseph’s and St. Peter Claver during my childhood. Today all of my siblings and parents live in the greater Atlanta area. I also have six nieces and nephews who I’ve enjoyed spending time with and watching grow up.

My biggest passions and hobbies are creative writing, reading, backpacking, running and tennis. I particularly love classic literature. Walker Percy and Fyodor Dostoevsky are two of my favorite authors.

One of my favorite scriptures is from Psalm 127: “If the Lord does not build the house, in vain do its builders labor.”

One of my favorite saints is Ignatius of Antioch, one of the early church martyrs. He wrote a series of letters on his way to his execution which I encourage everyone to read. His life and words are an inspiring example of total abandonment to Christ. “He who died in place of us is the one object of my quest. He who rose for our sakes is my one desire,” he writes to the church in Rome. St. Ignatius of Antioch, pray for us!

I’ve always been a dreamer, but until the past few years, those dreams never encompassed the priesthood or a life consecrated solely to Christ. From a young age, I wanted to be a professional golfer. When I grew older, I became fascinated with literature and dreamed of writing a great novel. I sought my happiness in the pleasures and ambitions of the world, but the world always left me empty. God never stopped pursuing me, most particularly when I did not want or seek Him. He is truly the Good Shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine for the one. Slowly he has molded and changed my life through receiving Him in Mass, time in Adoration, serving the poor, praying the Liturgy of the Hours with other brothers in Christ, and developing a relationship with our Blessed Mother. Now, at the age of twenty-nine, I can dream of nothing better than a life lived in deeper communion with Christ and serving others in the vocation of the priesthood.

I just started my first year at Notre Dame in New Orleans, so I’m still getting accustomed to life in a seminary. There are 13 other guys also starting with me, including Ben and Winston from the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Thus far, I’ve really enjoyed the brotherhood among our group.

I look forward to sharing the Eucharist with others. I’ve encountered Him in the Eucharist in so many powerful ways, and it would bring me great joy to be a part of others meeting our Lord in this intimate mystery.

For guys discerning the priesthood, I suggest spending as much time as possible with Jesus in Adoration. I’m reminded of the Gospel passage when Jesus visits Mary and Martha. While Martha busies herself working for Jesus, her sister Mary sits at the feet of Jesus and enjoys his presence, and Jesus tell us that Mary chose the “better part.”