The Ball is Rolling: An Update on the Life of Our Seminarians
Serra House of Formation — First Few Weeks of the New Formation Year
Formation season is officially in full swing, and if you've walked past Serra House lately, you might have noticed a certain buzz in the air, LITERALLY, in some cases, but more on that later.
This Saturday, nine new seminarians will receive their Commitment, formally entering and being recognized by our Bishop as full members of the Serra House community. Please keep them close in your prayers as they take this beautiful step.
But let me tell you...becoming a seminarian is not all incense and holy cards. Between 6:30 AM Adoration and a day that often doesn't wrap up until 9 PM, these men are hitting the ground running: classes, study, prayer, community life, the whole horarium. And formation, as I keep reminding them (and myself), happens in the ordinary just as much as the extraordinary.
"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much." — Luke 16:10
Case in point: we recently rented a carpet steam cleaner and taught the guys how to use it on the seminary carpets. They also rolled up their sleeves to reorganize the library, tossing out books that hadn't been touched since, I'm fairly sure, the Second Vatican Council. And yes, in the spirit of balance, we also got them a pickleball net and paddles, made a court on the cement top, because a healthy prayer life pairs nicely with a competitive backhand. Formation for our future Good Shepherds includes vacuum cleaners and pickleball. Nobody tells you that in the vocation posters.
Around the Seminaries: Who's Doing What
Oliver Garcia Tirado, theologian from Mundelein, just wrapped up his CPE at LA Children's Hospital. He described the experience as transformative...challenging, yes, but he brought real joy to everyone he served. He's now back at Mundelein finishing his final semester before his ordination to the transitional diaconate on December 19, 2026, God willing. Please keep him close in prayer as that day approaches.
Christopher and Earl recently finished their internships and are back at Mundelein for their third year of theology (the configuration stage) and more enthusiastic than ever. Christopher, in particular, earned a scholarship for a month-long Rome Experience, where he had the opportunity to meet the Holy Father face to face. Not a bad line for the résumé.
Albert Salcido recently began his first year of theology at Mundelein. The transition hasn't been easy, but he's loving it... and he shaved off his mustache. I guess theology changes a man inside and out. (lol.)
Over at St. John's Seminary, things are equally lively. Anthony Gutierrez is doing his internship this year at St. Thomas the Apostle in Riverside, and he's excited for the new adventure. Ruben and Isaiah continue to lead the way as our resident scholars.
Luis Morales is settling into his first year of theology at St. John's. He admits he misses Serra House, but says he feels invigorated and passionate about this new phase of his discernment...and his parents were right there with him to help him move in, which is its own kind of grace.
Declan Osueke will be finishing his final year at St. John's before his ordination alongside Oliver, God willing. Remarkably, this is only Declan's third year in the United States, and he continues to adapt with real grace, though not everyone knows he already holds an STB and is quietly one of the sharpest scholars we have.
Joseph Nguyen is now in his internship year at St. Joseph's in Upland. He recently completed his CPE at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange County, and before starting his internship, he took a little time to visit the famous staircase of St. Joseph in Santa Fe, New Mexico. A fitting pilgrimage for a man named after the saint himself.
Meanwhile, our eleven men who headed to Texas to begin their propaedeutic year are settling in beautifully...so much so that they all got matching buzz cuts. Call it a sign of detachment, a bonding ritual, or just what happens when eleven guys share one barber. I remember that phase myself, wanting to start fresh with a buzzed head. It's a phase, I think... we'll see.
As you can see, seminary formation is alive and moving... carpets, pickleball, Rome pilgrimages, and all. We take seriously the work of forming good and holy future priests, men configured to Christ the Good Shepherd. Please keep all these men in your prayers, continue supporting vocations, and if you know a young man who might be discerning please send him our way. After all, if God is calling him, He could use your help making the call.
In Christ,
Fr. Hau Vu, Director of Vocations — Diocese of San Bernardino
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