Meet the Seminarians
Conrad Espino
Home Parish: Our Lady of Mercy
City: Chicago
City: Chicago
Favorite Saint: Saint Thérèse of Lisieux
Favorite Bible Verse: John 3:30
Vocation Story: I think every vocation starts with an attraction and so I think the first time I felt an attraction the priesthood was when I was around 10 or 11 years old, through altar serving and witnessing the consecration of the Eucharist at mass. I thought it was really beautiful even though I didn’t really understand what was going on. I guess this attraction eventually became a calling, which I got a sense of when I was 13. Throughout high school, I was given the opportunity to explore this call when my pastor invited me to join the Quigley Scholars Program at St. Joseph College Seminary. It was through Quigley that I got to explore this call, this vocation. During my time in the program, I just grew more and more confident that our Lord was calling me to seminary, and so I was finally able to answer his call with a “yes”.
Favorite Bible Verse: John 3:30
Vocation Story: I think every vocation starts with an attraction and so I think the first time I felt an attraction the priesthood was when I was around 10 or 11 years old, through altar serving and witnessing the consecration of the Eucharist at mass. I thought it was really beautiful even though I didn’t really understand what was going on. I guess this attraction eventually became a calling, which I got a sense of when I was 13. Throughout high school, I was given the opportunity to explore this call when my pastor invited me to join the Quigley Scholars Program at St. Joseph College Seminary. It was through Quigley that I got to explore this call, this vocation. During my time in the program, I just grew more and more confident that our Lord was calling me to seminary, and so I was finally able to answer his call with a “yes”.
Jose Sandoval
Home Parish: St. Agnes of Bohemia
City: Chicago
City: Chicago
Favorite Saint: Our Lady of Guadalupe
Favorite Bible Verse: Proverbs 3:5-6
Vocation Story: I was not baptized as a baby, but at the age of 15. The summer before my baptism I went to Mexico with my grandparents. They took me to “La Villa” where the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe is located. I prayed for her intercession that day, that I can be baptized, so that I can then receive the sacraments of Holy Communion and Confirmation. At that time, my parents were going through a divorce and my place of refuge became St. Agnes of Bohemia Parish. They had a perpetual adoration chapel, which I frequently visited. Not knowing how to pray at the time I was drawn to it because I felt comforted in the chapel with our Lord. As my baptism came close I felt this calling, but I could not put my finger on it until Fr. Matt Foley, my pastor at the time, said “I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” At that very moment I knew God was calling me to priesthood. Although I ignored the call because I had so many questions as to why He would be calling me to be a priest, I knew I had a father in heaven watching over me. After careful deliberation that took 12 years I finally said “Yes” to His call. It has brought me much joy in my life, I have grown more in love with my faith, but most importantly as a man. I owe it all to Our Lady of Guadalupe, who has been leading me to her son since that day that I visited her at the Basilica. Please continue to pray for me, but most importantly continue to pray for vocations. I will keep you all in my prayers, God Bless.
Favorite Bible Verse: Proverbs 3:5-6
Vocation Story: I was not baptized as a baby, but at the age of 15. The summer before my baptism I went to Mexico with my grandparents. They took me to “La Villa” where the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe is located. I prayed for her intercession that day, that I can be baptized, so that I can then receive the sacraments of Holy Communion and Confirmation. At that time, my parents were going through a divorce and my place of refuge became St. Agnes of Bohemia Parish. They had a perpetual adoration chapel, which I frequently visited. Not knowing how to pray at the time I was drawn to it because I felt comforted in the chapel with our Lord. As my baptism came close I felt this calling, but I could not put my finger on it until Fr. Matt Foley, my pastor at the time, said “I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” At that very moment I knew God was calling me to priesthood. Although I ignored the call because I had so many questions as to why He would be calling me to be a priest, I knew I had a father in heaven watching over me. After careful deliberation that took 12 years I finally said “Yes” to His call. It has brought me much joy in my life, I have grown more in love with my faith, but most importantly as a man. I owe it all to Our Lady of Guadalupe, who has been leading me to her son since that day that I visited her at the Basilica. Please continue to pray for me, but most importantly continue to pray for vocations. I will keep you all in my prayers, God Bless.
Michael Sexton
Home Parish: Our Lady of Perpetual Help
City: Glenview
City: Glenview
Favorite Saint: St. Peter
Favorite Bible Verse: John 10:14
Vocation Story: The foundation of my calling to the priesthood began with a deep devotion to serve the Lord Jesus Christ to seek a vocation that is one of self-denial to serve others in leading them to faith in Christ. I believe the Lord has called me to this vocation of the priesthood. I have always been really involved with my local Catholic church, which encouraged me in discerning the path of a priestly vocation. Experiencing ministries such as Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP), Totus Tuus, and Catholic Heart Work camp have tremendously grown my faith. Also, knowing that God was leading me through his providence, I have a great love for the scriptures, for community, for the Eucharist, and a love to grow in holiness. This is why I believe the Lord has led me to the seminary.
Favorite Bible Verse: John 10:14
Vocation Story: The foundation of my calling to the priesthood began with a deep devotion to serve the Lord Jesus Christ to seek a vocation that is one of self-denial to serve others in leading them to faith in Christ. I believe the Lord has called me to this vocation of the priesthood. I have always been really involved with my local Catholic church, which encouraged me in discerning the path of a priestly vocation. Experiencing ministries such as Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP), Totus Tuus, and Catholic Heart Work camp have tremendously grown my faith. Also, knowing that God was leading me through his providence, I have a great love for the scriptures, for community, for the Eucharist, and a love to grow in holiness. This is why I believe the Lord has led me to the seminary.
Salvador Castaneda
Home Parish: St. Francis de Sales
City: Chicago
City: Chicago
Favorite Saint: St. Maximillian Kolbe
Favorite Bible Verse: Psalm 51:1-21
Vocation Story: I first felt an attraction to the priesthood after seeing a vocations video called “Fishers of Men” but it was particularly the men in my life who lived a joyful fatherhood that was either spiritual or corporal that lead me to seminary.
Favorite Bible Verse: Psalm 51:1-21
Vocation Story: I first felt an attraction to the priesthood after seeing a vocations video called “Fishers of Men” but it was particularly the men in my life who lived a joyful fatherhood that was either spiritual or corporal that lead me to seminary.
Anthony Davies
Home Parish: Our Lady of Ransom
City: Niles
City: Niles
Favorite Saint: St. Andre Besette
Favorite Bible Verse: Isaiah 43:1
Vocation Story: I felt called to the catholic priesthood through Eucharistic Adoration. It was being in front of the Lord that I felt a deep desire from Him for me to become a priest with my whole heart. A priest not for myself but for the people.
Favorite Bible Verse: Isaiah 43:1
Vocation Story: I felt called to the catholic priesthood through Eucharistic Adoration. It was being in front of the Lord that I felt a deep desire from Him for me to become a priest with my whole heart. A priest not for myself but for the people.
Peter Famera
Home Parish: St. Terrence
City: Alsip
City: Alsip
Luke Lato
Home Parish: Our Lady of Perpetual Help
City: Glenview
City: Glenview
Victor Martinez
Home Parish: St. Barnabas
City: Chicago
City: Chicago
Favorite Saint: St. Rita
Favorite Bible Verse: John 2:4-6
Vocation Story: I felt the call to the priesthood by going to the Quigley Scholars Program. Being able to meet the older seminarians and seeing how they lived their lives helped me see and want that for myself. That encouraged me and moved me to go and follow the footsteps of not only the priest and seminarians, but Christ.
Favorite Bible Verse: John 2:4-6
Vocation Story: I felt the call to the priesthood by going to the Quigley Scholars Program. Being able to meet the older seminarians and seeing how they lived their lives helped me see and want that for myself. That encouraged me and moved me to go and follow the footsteps of not only the priest and seminarians, but Christ.
William Estrella
Home Parish: St. Odilo
City: Berwyn
City: Berwyn
Derek Damasco
Home Parish: St. Lambert
City: Skokie
City: Skokie
Alexander Thiel
Home Parish: St. Paul the Apostle
City: Gurnee
City: Gurnee
