Hometown: Brownsville, TX
Year in Formation: Sophomore
High School: St. Joseph Academy (Brownsville, TX), 2023
College: Holy Cross College (Notre Dame, IN), 2027
Favorite Subject: Theology
Patron Saint: St. Joseph
Favorite Movies: The Sound of Music, Ratatouille, Sister Act 1&2, Cabrini, Hamilton
Favorite Books: The Catechism of the Catholic Church, Letters to my Brother Priests by Pope St. John Paul II, the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, The Queen by Andrew Morton, LIFE by Pope Francis, Jesus of Nazareth by Pope Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate by Pope Benedict XVI
Favorite Music: Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, ND Liturgy Choir
Hobbies: Running, Reading, Drinking Coffee, Handwriting Letters, Watching the Crown, Expanding my Knowledge on Divine Liturgy, Managing Social Media Accounts, Graphic Design
Most Memorable Prayer/Liturgy you have Attended: Attending the Office of Tenebrae with the Holy Cross Community. As a part of the Paschal Triduum Liturgy, it was truly special to celebrate this particular celebration with the Community of Holy Cross and the tri-campus students.
Place of Pilgrimage you Most Want to Visit and why: The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico on the Feast of Our Lady (December 12). Our Lady of Guadalupe is a particularly special devotion of mine and for the longest time, I have watched the Solemn Mass from the Basilica on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The people present there are participating in the Liturgy with such joy and devotion that has always brought me great emotion. I would love to be there and experience it in person.
Favorite Way to Pray: the Mass and Eucharistic adoration
Favorite Devotion: the Blessed Virgin Mary
What drew you to Holy Cross? Two of the major things that drew me to Holy Cross were the sense of community and the mission of education. I’ve always been a strong supporter of Catholic education because I know how important it is to the formation of young children into true followers and believers in Christ. I find that it’s through a Catholic education that not only are young boys and girls taught the fundamentals of their faith, but are taught how to be the next generation of disciples, leaders, and all around good adults.
Your Vocation Story: I’ve known since I was in fourth grade that I wanted to be a priest. I didn’t know what kind of priest I wanted to be untill the summer between my junior and senior year of high school, when I participated in the Summer Seminary Immersion Program (SSIP). It was then that I felt this strong calling to the Congregation of Holy Cross. After many hours in front of the Blessed Sacrament, I decided to apply and was accepted to the Old College Undergraduate Seminary program.
Favorite Verse: “Though the wicked spring up like grass and al who do evil thrive: they are doomed to be eternally destroyed. But you, Lord, are eternally on high. See how your enemies perish; all doers of evil are scattered” -Ps. 92:8-10
Favorite Quote: Sursum Corda — “Lift up your Hearts” (from the opening of the Preface Dialogue)
How can visitors to this page pray for you? I ask that you please pray for not only my discernment, but the dicsernment of my brothers in formation. I also ask you to pray that more young men will open their hearts to God’s call to be a Holy Cross brother or priest. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be!