Travel Reflections: Austin

I am tired. I am really, really, tired. And I am the guy that goes to sleep at 9:30 every night because if I don't, it's bad news. So six hour time changes for me are just not the greatest. But there's more to it than that. Despite that exaustion and that dreariness, there's a joy that I can't shake off (nor do I want to). Its not just me either. I see it in my friends. I see it in Blaschke and Nick when we laugh about something dumb for five minutes right before passing out on tables and waiting area chairs. I see it in Brandon's stupid selfie stick (dont you DARE edit this Brandon) and Toan's enthusiasm for reading every Catholic Spirituality book on the planet before we land. I can't pin it down with words but there is a happiness and an energy and an excitement that transcends the physical hardship of a 16 hour travel period. I think it's because there's a self awareness here. Something that tells us "you are EXACTLY where you are supposed to be." And no matter how tired or beat up we may feel, thats a satisfaction that won't be taken away. 

And it feels great.

Thank God. -Austin

(Toan Cao, action shot)

Munich Adventures of Patrick, Neiers, Martin, and Toan: Enter the Bat Cave

Munich adventures

From Martin: We had arrived in Munich, and things were looking great.
Munich has a great deal of better things in the airport that's for
sure. There is free coffee, sleeping chambers, and actual cars. All
pilgrims are feeling great, although some are tired. Toan already has
plans for Rome. First things first: he's getting a haircut. After
cutting it himself in the States, he is dissatisfied with his Asian
bowl-cut and wants to change his style. I hope he gets it soon because
I'm tired of hearing about how stupid he looks in the pictures.


From Thomas: I love the Munich Airport here. I had 3 cups of coffee
and I slept on the tiles. It was comfortable...not too cold, not to
hot...a little bit on the rocky side. Toan needs a haircut more than I
do #Asianbowlcut. I am gonna get a haircut with Toan in Rome. Hi
family.

Thomas took a nap in the airport

Picasa Web Album

From Brandon:

If you like our pictures on here, we will keep posting more. But to find an even greater multitude of pictures, including the ones that don't make the cut for this blog, check out our Picasa web album. Just click the link below:

SJ Rome 2015 Picasa Web Album

Share with your family, friends, random strangers, or anyone who wants to see 8 young men discern the priesthood in Rome

Day 1: Travel

From Brandon:

We're in Munich! Yesterday, Thursday, we left Jesuit around 12:30 and headed to IAH. We got checked in and went to the gate with no issues. Had some time to hang out before the flight. Fr. Bravo, Nick, and I even met some alumni parents while we were having lunch in the airport.

We had about 10 hours and 30 minutes in the air from Houston to Munich. Mr. Romano and I probably couldn't tell you much of what happened on that flight, we were asleep most of the time. Michael hardly ever slept, we're hoping he'll survive the jet-lag.

We landed in Munich about an hour ago. We had to follow the not-always-bilingual signs and ask some airport employees to figure out where we were supposed to go. We went through customs, then, while checking in to get our new boarding passes, we ran into a German priest. He told us his uncle was a Jesuit, and we asked him to pray for our journey as we pray for him.

Now, the rest of the gang is off getting food or entertainment, while Mr. Romano, Fr. Johnson, and myself are waiting at the gate with all the bags. We've got about 4 and a half hours of layover left until our 90 minute flight to Rome. That means plenty of time for bonding and getting the full German airport experience. There are lots of pictures below, and we'll be starting a Picasa web album to put the multitude of pictures that won't fit just on the blog (link to come soon). Thanks to all our friends, family, and supporters who are praying for us!

 Group photo in Houston

 "This camera won't even work!" -Fr. Bravo

Very priestly Thomas

Meet Our Guides: Mr. Tommy Romano

I’m a fourth-generation Houstonian who grew up in a very large extended, Catholic family.  I first started considering a religious vocation in a serious way when I was a freshman in high school.  I was very involved with retreat programs in the Church and many of my friends and family members would often tell me, “you should be a priest.”  With the comments coming frequently enough, I figured I should probably give it some thought which I did during high school.  When I first enrolled in college I got into the academic routine and got lazy in the practice of my faith and the “call” sort of got lost in the shuffle of a more “worldly” life.

When I transferred to the University of St. Thomas and was once again immersed in a Catholic environment, the call to the priesthood and religious life once again surfaced.  Fortunately I had so many wonderful examples of happy, holy, priests to serve as an example of a life well-lived in God’s service.  I entered religious life with the Basilian Fahthers in my senior year in college.  Upon graduation, I was sent to teach high school in Merrilville, Indiana.  After that initial year, I applied for the Basilian Novitiate and was accepted.  While I eventually discerned that God was not calling me to the priesthood, I relish the three years I spent in religious formation.  It was, by far, the period of greatest spiritual growth in my life.  I also learned how to better listen to the call of God and found that my vocation was to live life as a single man, fully dedicated to serving others through education. 

Shortly after leaving the Basilian Fathers, God led me to a position with the theology faculty at Strake Jesuit, where I have been since 1993.  Over the years, God has continued to define the details of my vocation within my position at Strake Jesuit.  Aside teaching theology, one of the greatest joys of my life is working with young men in helping them to discern the call of God in their own lives.  I cannot begin to describe how blessed and privileged I am to accompany the pilgrims on their journey.  The pilgrimage is the realization of a dream that I have had for over twenty years: to lead a group of students on a pilgrimage to Rome.  Please keep me and all the pilgrims in your prayers.  We will definitely be carrying you and your intentions with us as we walk.

Last Minute Thoughts from Brandon

Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam

What we are going to do these next nine days is significant. No doubt it will be very fun and joyful, but it is significant. After having planned this trip for so long, it's easy for any of us to get used to the idea of "going to Rome for a discernment pilgrimage." I've had to explain it countless times, so the words almost become numb. But what does it really mean, what are we really going to do?

Well, to put it simply, we are attempting to better listen to God's call for our lives by going to some of the holiest sites in Christendom, to the heart of our Church. This city has nourished Saints for centuries, and now we seek the same nourishment. We seek the answers others have found in this holy city, the answers to the big question, "God, what do you want me to do with my life?" This is significant. It's not a vacation or an educational trip. It's a pilgrimage. St. Ignatius liked to talk about himself as "the pilgrim", he liked to think of life as a pilgrimage. Well, we are going on a very real pilgrimage to Rome in order to better understand the path God has planned for our pilgrimage in life.

I sit here writing this while most of you are asleep. I'm actually surprised at how I have prepared for this journey. I'm an intense person, and add on top of that my anxiety, well, it's quite common for me to overprepare and overthink everything. I haven't done that this time. As the trip started to come within weeks' reach, I was thinking, "Well what should I do? What can I do?" There were few odds and ends things I had to do, obvious things, like raise the money and turn in the paperwork. But I didn't let myself overdo it. I think that was truly a grace from the Blessed Mother. She kept me from overpreparing and overdoing it all, in order to allow me to be truly open on this pilgrimage.

I do not know what to expect completely. I almost always plan what to expect. This time, I'm open to anything, open to any experience God wills for me. I don't have a plan for what this trip will look like. I almost always have a plan. I think the way I have handled preparing for this trip points to how I should handle my vocation overall: don't overplan or overthink it, just be open to what God wills. It's easy to say that but hard to do it. Somehow, by the grace of God and intercession of His Most Holy Mother, I'm open and levelheaded for this trip. By His continued grace, I ask to have an amazing, uplifting experience, and to be open and ready to wherever He calls me, all the days of my life.

O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo Maria,
Ora pro nobis Sancta Dei Genitrix, ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi.

Defending Life!

AMDG

This weekend Austin, Toan, and I (Brandon) went to Planned Parenthood to pray and offer sidewalk counseling to men and women entering and leaving the clinic. There was a man praying outside with a ram's horn, a copy of the Horn of Samuel that God told Samuel to march with around the outskirts of Jericho until the city fell. He walks outside the building where thousands of innocent lives are destroyed, praying it will one day fall. We also met some amazing other people out there, praying and witnessing to the value of life alongside us. Thanks to the awesome Pastor Rich Reaves from Lifepath Church for taking these pictures of us and witnessing to the dignity of all forms of life!

There is a Pro Life bus sponsored by the Knights of Columbus parked outside of that Planned Parenthood 24/7. It offers free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and counseling, all by trained professionals in a very comfortable environment. While we were there, two women both boarded the bus and got an ultrasound and saw the lives they were carrying. BOTH WOMEN kept their child. Two lives were saved while we stood outside Planned Parenthood, thanks to the wonderful work of the empowered women in the Pro Life movement who run that bus. Praise be to God.

I look forward to more witnessing to the faith with these two guys and learning about our discernment in Rome very soon. Please pray for us as we leave in less than 48 hours. To God be all the Glory.

Meet Our Pilgrims: Patrick Sullivan

I've grown up Catholic, always have been Catholic. I had never thought about being a priest exactly, but I have always had a strong inclination for leadership and helping people. These are both things a priest can do so it's definitely on my radar. From an early age I've loved retreats and other functions that were put on and sponsored by my church and or youth groups. I want to be able to bring that same joy I felt to other people, and like I said, a priest or another position in the religious life would be a great way to do that. I love kids and people and want to be able to share the faith with them and deepen their faith while also increasing my own. 

I can't wait to go to Rome and see the heart of our Church. Discernment is a long process and I can't think of any better way to get the process started than going to the source. This trip should be an amazing experience and I can't wait to go and hopefully come back with a better sense of discernment than I am going there with. 

Meet Our Pilgrims: Martin Montalvo

Hello, I am Martin Montalvo, Junior at Strake Jesuit. The fire in my discerning process initially sparked back in lower school when I would go to Mass with my family. I remember looking at the priest celebrating Mass, imagining myself doing the same actions, and going to sleep dreaming about it. My true love for God, though, came about when I moved to a different middle school my 7^th grade year. This new school was founded mainly by people of Opus Dei and was taught by people associated with it. They greatly influenced my passion towards Christ, making me want to learn more about Him. After learning and understanding about what Christ said and did for us, I wanted to do the very same thing. If there were any way in which I could learn more about God and serve as Christ did, I would do so. Thus, my fire for becoming a priest grew. Being able to understand more about God and trying to help out anyone in any way I can brings me great joy. 

Meet Our Pilgrims: Thomas Neiers

I'm Thomas Neiers, a Junior at Strake Jesuit and I am going with my fellow pilgrims to Rome this week. My discerning process really started in the middle of 7th grade when I had the amazing opportunity to go to the Holy Land and was able to serve at the daily masses we had with our priest at the famous sites in Israel, including the tomb of Jesus, which was a really powerful experience. 

My faith is important to me because of my parents and how they raised me. They really have helped me live my life as a Catholic and have been supportive of me these past couple years in my discernment. I'm really looking forward to the whole trip over all. I really think that the whole trip is going to be an amazing experience and can't wait for it.

Meet Our Pilgrims: Michael Blaschke

I began feeling a call to the priesthood about three years ago. I had grown moot in my faith, I wentthrough the motions, but I never really put forth effort into growing spiritually. But freshman year I met some of the priests and theology teachers, and I saw how happy they were. They always smiled, and never really complained about anything, and I thought, "Maybe there is something about this God thing that makes people happy". 

I began to open my life to God more fully, and I let Him in. I began to pray more and delve deeper into my theological studies. Through this effort, I began to feel a closeness to God, and I thought, "Do you want me to be a priest God?" I prayed about this and last year during my Kairos retreat (there is an option to go on a Junior Kairos and lead the senior version), I felt the call in full force. I knew that I was called to at least pursue the possibility, to discern more seriously than just praying about it. Even now, I feel the call. I cannot imagine myself doing anything else. Whenever I think about certain paths, the first image that pops into my head is me, consecrating the Eucharist at Mass.

Meet Our Pilgrims: Nick Tanner

Hi everyone!  My name is Nick Tanner and I am a pilgrim.  I'm a junior at Strake Jesuit, and previously I attended St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School.  I play baseball here at Strake, and enjoy school and have a lot of fun helping out with retreats and liturgies.  My favorite movies are Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and the Dark Knight Trilogy.  I've lived in Houston all my life with my parents and younger sister, who also goes to SVdP.  The last time I left the country I was a toddler.

Now that I've spouted out random things about myself, I'll tell you about my discernment.  My discernment of the priesthood began in my Sophomore year at Jesuit, when I began to seriously take an interest in Catholic apologetics after being challenged on my faith by some of my friends.  I wasn't too enthusiastic about my faith before coming to Strake, but something about the atmosphere peaked my interest.  I had never seen so many kids my age taking their faith seriously, and it changed my perspective.  I'm a convert -- my family used to be part of the Southern Baptist Church.  So for me Catholicism seemed boring and overly traditional in comparison to the Baptist Church, which was more fun and centered around me instead of the Eucharist.  The faith never really clicked for me until high school, when I actually took the time to learn why we believe the way we do.  I got so into it that people began to ask me if I was thinking about the priesthood.  The more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea.  I begun to read about the priesthood, talk to priests more about it, and continue to educate myself on our faith.  I became more involved with the Strake community, and that's gotten me to this point.  I don't know if I'll become a priest, but I'm praying and listening for God to lead me in the right direction over time.  Hopefully this week in Rome will give me a chance to pray without any of the usual distractions, and encounter some holy places that may inspire me.

To all of the donors who helped me go on this trip, I can't say thank you enough for the impact you're making on my life.  I will pray for all of you, even those who donated anonymously.  Please pray for me that I can have an experience that leads me in the direction that God wants me to go.

Sincerely,

Nick

Meet Our Pilgrims: Brandon Bain

Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam

You’ve probably already read some of my posts on this blog before. I have written a lot about this blog, my fellow pilgrims, and the pilgrimage in general; I have yet to share my story publicly though. I have shared this same story many times with trusted friends and adults, but this is my first time writing it all out, so here goes.

My name is Brandon Bain. I have gone to Catholic school all my life. I am a Junior at Strake Jesuit, and this is technically my fourteenth year of Catholic education. So, I have been surrounded by Catholic influences for as long as I can remember, and that is where my story begins.

I have wanted to be a priest for as long as I can remember. My first distinct memory of wanting to be a priest was in second grade. At my middle school, St. Laurence, when we were doing First Communion preparation, lots of kids would have said they wanted to be a priest. Our teacher, Mrs. Bauer, was simply very good at getting little kids to want to be priests. After second grade, I was one of the few kids who kept saying he wanted to be a priest. It never left me.

I always knew the priesthood was likely for me. Not that I ever knew it for certain, but even from fourth grade up until a few years ago, I remember thinking very clearly that unless I found another job or profession God was absolutely calling me toward, I would be a priest. So if you asked me in elementary or middle school, my answer would be, “Yeah I’ll probably be a priest.” The desire is simple for me. I’ve never wanted to get married, nor seen myself doing that, but I have always had a strong urge to administer the sacraments. To offer confessions for hours. To bring the Body of our Lord to the sick. To offer Christ’s Body as Sacrifice. Nothing entices me more than the priestly ministry.

I had been leaning towards the priesthood until about a year ago when things became clear. That was when I basically knew it was not really a question anymore. There was not one moment that I heard a voice from Heaven, but about a year ago, I just had that feeling deep down saying, “Okay, you’re going to be a priest, that is decided. Now discern how to serve as a priest.” So for several months now, I have been strongly discerning which order/diocese to join and when. Not to mention, I’m constantly learning new things about the priest I would like to be. Right now I’m leaning towards joining the Jesuits in a year when I graduate. I see no reason to delay what I know in my heart God has called me toward; the Jesuits appeal to me because I want to work in a high school like I am at right now, teaching theology or being a chaplain. I love Jesus and I love kids. I want kids to love Jesus too.

This pilgrimage is an amazing opportunity. It is a dream come true. I don’t feel worthy of it, but God has put it before me, and I aim to experience His grace as much as He allows me during this pilgrimage. All for His greater Glory. Thank you to everyone who has supported our trip with donations and prayers. I legitimately cannot explain how much I appreciate it. This trip would literally not be possible without this support. I owe this opportunity to the generosity of many people. Please know I will be praying for all our benefactors.

I’d like to finish by thanking certain people whom I have yet to thank adequately but have supported me in my discernment at pivotal moments in my life. Some of my teachers from St. Laurence: Mrs. Bauer, Mrs. Rice, Mrs. Murat, Mrs. McLaughlin, Mr. Castillo, Mrs. Thompson, and Sister Anna Pauline. Here at Jesuit, I have been blessed with meeting amazing Jesuits who have constantly helped my discernment, especially, Mr. Fryer, Fr. Bravo, and Fr. Johnson. All of you have helped my discernment significantly and helped me grow closer to Christ. I cannot express my appreciation enough.

Pax Christi.

Meet Our Pilgrims: Toan Cao

Ad Jesus Per Mariam (A.J.P.M.)

I don't really know how to begin so I'll start with my name. My name is Toan which is pronounced kind of like Juan but with a "T" instead. Forgive my grammar, this was not edited. [Don't worry Toan, I edited your grammar. -Brandon]

In describing the way that God has worked in my life, I love to use the image of a fishermen. God is the Fisherman and I am the tiny little fish just swimming about. The earliest memory of my life is of when I was around 5 or 6 years old. I was in a restaurant with the entire side of my dad's family, and I remember promising to everyone there that when I grew up I was going to be a priest. I remember it because promises are something I hold very dear, and I don't make them lightly. At a young age, God gently used His fishing rod and hooked me in the corner of my mouth.

For a few years after God "hooked" me, I was all about being a priest because that's all I had known. I lived under a cave back then...even now for those that know me, so I didn't really know anything else. As I moved on into junior high, I fell away from the idea of wanting to be a priest but the memory never left me, never unhooked. I got distracted with the world. God became just a Sunday thing and something to do before meals. Now my dream was to travel the world. To do that, I needed money. To get the money for such a dream, I needed a job. So my game plan was to become an orthodontist and make a lot of easy money and save up so I can achieve my dream. I became self-centered. I asked myself, and was asked by others, the wrong question: "What do you want to do when you grow up?"

I carried this plan from junior high up until around my junior year of high school. I never forgot about that promise I made when I was little. Every time I was asked about if I was considering the priesthood, something "yanked" at my heart. I could never say "No." I always remembered that promise and instead said "Maybe?" This was very time I heard anything about the priesthood during a homily or any time I found myself thinking about it. I always said to myself to some degree "Maybe me." 

I grew up around God's messengers dressed in white. They are called the Vietnamese Dominican Sisters. Don't let their joy and smiles fool you, they are clever little foxes. They just have that touch to make you think about the priesthood. I remember last year, as I was walking out of their convent, two sisters came up to me and asked me a simple but clever question: "Are you a seminarian?" Obviously I wasn't, but it got me thinking as to why they thought I was a seminarian. It was little questions like that, or comments like, "You walk like a priest" that always got me thinking that people see something in me that I don't. Small things like those were tugs.

Soon enough, I began asking the question, "Why is it that I can never say no? How come all the other guys around me can say no to the idea of becoming a priest so easily?" There was always a tug at my heart. It pulled and yanked at the idea, and it simply never left me alone. Only now do I realize that it was the patient and wise Fisherman Who had hooked me, giving me a pull and then letting me run away. Then He would yank again, never letting me forget He had me, and then letting me run away again. I realize now He was simply tiring me out. He allowed me to run and run so that when I became too tired to run, I would surrender, and He would just reel me in. To make a long story short, I gave up running about a year ago. Now I am just swimming towards the good Fisherman, anticipating the joy when we meet face to face.

Just a side note for those discerning as well. I struggled with unworthiness many times in my path. For those that feel like you are being called but are not qualified, please hear these words that brought me consolation: "God DOES NOT call the qualified...He QUALIFIES the CALLED."

I believe this pilgrimage to Rome is simply one of the joys that the good Fisherman has placed in the path of a little fish like me that has decided to swim towards Him. I would like to thank everyone for their support both financially and spiritually. Please know of my prayers for everyone that has supported us. I still have much discerning to do still and I pray and trust that the Lord will reveal to me what His love has ordained for me.

Oh don't forget: A Rosary a day keeps the devil away. God bless.

Meet Our Pilgrims: Austin Miller

Ever since I was a little boy, I've hoped that there was some kind of greater world out there. A world far beyond my tiny existence as a grade school student. A world where, everyday, the forces of good and evil would line up to confront each other on a battlefield. I would often imagine myself as a soldier on this battlefield. I was a superhero that fought for God. I spent hours in these daydreams and hoped with all my heart that I could maybe one day do something as amazing and important as I did in my daydreams. That was then.

Now I know where that desire came from. As my experience grew, I found that this world, that I before only dreamed about, was the same world I lived in. I've learned that there is a battlefield. One that is often more spiritual than physical, but nonetheless great in its importance. 

My name is Austin Miller, I am a senior at Strake Jesuit, and I have a tremendous respect for the priesthood. I've come to recognize these men as the good guys. The people who live for other people. The ones that would lay their lives down for the sake of the God who laid His life down for us. 

I don't remember when I first considered becoming a priest. Only after I entered high school did I even recognize the possibility. I just know that once the idea found its way into my mind, it refused to go away. After I began helping with the confirmation program at my parish, it began to grow. I started to realize that I was most happy when I was working for the church. At school, I met the best friends I've ever had working on retreats like Kairos and Freshman Retreat. But I've come to realize that there are deeper reasons that I love retreat life. I love talking about Jesus. I love seeing what He does to people. I am only 18, and I have seen amazing things because of God. I can only imagine what He might show me in a lifetime. 

Going to Rome, for me, is a dream come true. I have read so many stories and seen so many pictures, but I've never been. For me, its like the capital of the world. It's the leadership of the Church that I have fallen so deeply in love with over the last few years. People keep asking me if I'm "ready." No. Gosh no. I'll never be ready. Like, I'll make sure to pack enough pants but there is no avoiding that I'm going to be absolutely blown away. I don't think I'm ever going to be prepared for this great of a trip, but I'm going in a week anyway. That's something I can be excited about.

I am so grateful to everyone who helped fund this trip. It would not be possible without the selflessness of hundreds of benefactors. Thank you for funding the priesthood. Thank you for believing in a dream, for believing that this church has a bright and dynamic future. My prayer is that your generosity finds its way back to you. But most of all, thank you to everyone who is praying for us. Discernment for the priesthood is an amazing and terrifying experience, we need all the help that we can get.

So, again, my name is Austin. I am 18. And I can think of nothing that I would rather do with my life, than to become a Roman Catholic Priest.