For three days each summer there is a gathering of men of different ages and backgrounds, each dedicated to a common goal – continuing their spiritual journey with a focus on becoming a Diocesan priest.
Some are in a seminary college formation program, while others are in advanced programs farther along in their journey, with potential Ordination to the Priesthood not too far off.
During the annual Diocese of Venice Seminarian Convocation at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice (July 22-24, 2024), the men spent time praying, reflecting on their choice of vocation, while also sharing their thoughts and their personal journey with others who are on the same path.
There are currently a total of 18 men discerning a call to the priesthood as a Diocese of Venice seminarian, a large number considering the size of the Diocese. Bishop Frank J. Dewane said the Diocese is blessed to have such a large group of seminarians and thanked the men for answering the called to discern a vocation to the priesthood.
Bishop Dewane celebrated a Mass for the seminarians on July 24. During the Mass, the Bishop encouraged the men to continue to hear the call to holiness of Our Lord in their prayers, while reflecting Christ in the life they live.
The Bishop also stressed the need to make progress both emotionally and spiritually as they progress in their studies and discernment,
“You need to progress from ‘I feel,’ to ‘I am convinced,” about the call of the Lord in your life,” Bishop Dewane said. “It is critical to know yourself – your strengths and weaknesses – to continue in your discernment. It is about looking at our own conscience and asking the Lord for the strength to live, to discern, to listen, and to look back and grow as a person, but more importantly in your faith so that you can look forward guided by the Lord.”
Bishop Dewane said the goal of the discernment process is not only to educate the men, but it is also to allow the time to slow their lives down and let the clutter go away so that they can clearly hear the call of the Lord. The way to do this is through becoming men of deep prayer.
“A meaningful prayer life is something that you will develop and will become a dominant aspect of your life,” Bishop Dewane concluded. “Let prayer help the seeds planted by the Lord grow within you. Just like the seeds in the field, it takes many things to grow, including the will and recognition of the grace of God in your life.”
The multi-day retreat occurs late in the summer as a time of prayer and reflection before each return to their respective seminary. During the three days, the seminarians were led by Father Alex Pince, Diocesan Vocations Director.
With the group assigned to four different seminaries, and with several beginning their vocation journey, the gathering is an opportunity for those early in their formation process to hear from those who are further along. This mentoring helps in building a bond amongst the group, aiding each to appreciate that the discernment process is not only accomplished in the classroom but through the entire experience in seminary, during Parish pastoral assignments, and in their personal life.
Seminarian Joseph Doherty, who attends Pontifical North American College in Rome, said it was inspiring to see the other men making progress while also seeing so many new faces.
“It is great to see that we have a large group of new men who are answering their call to a vocation to the priesthood,” Doherty said. He is scheduled to be ordained to the Transitional Diaconate on Oct. 3 in Rome. This is a major milestone before priestly ordination.
A recent highlight for the seminarians was witnessing the June 8 Ordination to the Priesthood of Father Greg Dougherty, with many of the men present to help serve the Mass. This allowed the men to see one of their fellow seminarians reach a goal they are working to attain in the future.
Diocese of Venice Seminarians are supported through the Diocese Catholic Faith Appeal, the Knights of Columbus and the generosity of the faithful.
Parishioners from around the Diocese are encouraged to help support the seminarians in their studies and choice of vocations. To support a seminarian, send a check to the Diocese of Venice, Office of Vocations, 1000 Pinebrook Road, Venice, FL 34285.
For more information about the seminarians or Vocations, contact Father Alex Pince at pince@dioceseofvenice.org or 941-484-9543, or visit www.venicevocations.com.
The Diocese of Venice seminarians and their seminaries are as follows:
- Transitional Deacon Jacob Gwynn, St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, Boynton, Beach;
- Transitional Deacon Patrick Long, St. John XXIII National Seminary, Weston, Massachusetts;
- Ryan Arciero, St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary;
- Alexander Baugh, Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary;
- Andres Cordero, St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary;
- Joseph Doherty, Pontifical North American College, Rome;
- Nolan Fitzpatrick; St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary;
- Terry Gastauer; Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary;
- Jesse Gomez; St. John Vianney College Seminary, Miami;
- Sebastian Harding; St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary;
- Domenic Jahnke; St. John Vianney College Seminary;
- Tobias Lopez, St. John Vianney College Seminary’
- Patrick Mulhall, St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary;
- Brian (Bao) Nguyen, St. John XXIII National Seminary;
- Doroteo Rodgriguez, St. John Vianney College Seminary;
- Tam Tram, St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary;
- Alain Valdivia, St. John Vianney College Seminary;
- Lam Vo, St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary.
Prayer for Vocations
God our Father, we thank you for calling men and women to serve in your Son’s Kingdom as priests, deacons, religious, and consecrated persons. Send your Holy Spirit to help us respond generously and courageously to your call. May our community of faith support vocations of sacrificial love in our youth. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
The group gathered for the annual Convocation, a multi-day retreat which allows time for reflection and fellowship, from Aug. 2-5, 2021, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice.
One way to remain open to the Holy Spirit is through encounters with others in ones life, the Bishop continued. Building upon a theme from the Gospel reading of the day which was about the miracle with the Canaanite woman.
The multi-day retreat occurs at the end of summer as a time of prayer and reflection before each man returns to his respective seminary. During the week they heard from retreat leader Father Rich Pagano, a priest from the Diocese of St. Augustine.
