James Welch, C.S.C.

Novice

About

Hometown: North Olmsted, OH

Year in Formation: Novice

High School: St. Edward High School (Lakewood, OH), 2019

College: the Ohio State University (Columbus, OH), 2023

College Major: International Studies & Spanish

Patron Saint: St. James

Favorite Movie: The Shoes of the Fisherman, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham… , Arrugas

Favorite Books: Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel García Márquez, Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

Favorite Music: Santana, Matisyahu, a lot of world music, and more

Hobbies: Riding my bike, listening to music, film, history, learning about the Church, speaking Spanish

Most Memorable Prayer/Liturgy you have Attended: The 2019 St. Edward High School Baccalaureate Mass

Place of Pilgrimage you Most Want to Visit and why: Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, as it beautifully exemplifies God’s people in this country and their love for him.

Favorite Way to Pray: Talking to God and reciting certain prayers in Spanish (or Spanglish sometimes), reciting the Jesus prayer

Favorite Devotion: the Jesus prayer and the Kyrie

What Drew you to Holy Cross: My experience at a Holy Cross high school, its ministries, and the international character of the Congregation.

Your Vocation Story: After graduating from high school, I began to feel a call to discern a religious vocation. This call did not disappear in college. Having attended a Holy Cross high school, I decided to look into the Congregation of Holy Cross. Based on my time at high school, the research I did (mainly into its ministries and character) and a visit with the Congregation at Moreau Seminary helped me to conclude that, while I do not know the destination, this is a path the Lord wants to me to walk.

Favorite Verse: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” -Psalm 23:4

Favorite Quote: “Remember that you are never alone, Christ is with you on your journey every day of your lives” – Pope St. John Paul II

How can visitors to this page pray for you? In any way the Spirit moves them