Seminary :
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Redemptoris Mater House of Formation
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High School :
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Liceo Classico "C. Botta," Ivrea, Italy
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Hobbies :
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Climbing, riding bicycle, playing guitar
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When did you first start thinking about the priesthood?The first time that I thought of the priesthood was immediately after the World Youth Day in Rome for the Jubilee 2000. At the time, I was 13 years old.
What were some major Catholic activities you participated in prior to the seminary? (e.g. Any world youth Day's? Any Major parish events? Any seminary/ Vocation Retreats? Movements? Cursillo? Pilgrimages?)I participated at some World Youth Days in Rome, Toronto, Cologne during which I always had the impression that God was calling me. I have also participated at the meeting of Pope Benedict XVI with the youth in Loreto in September 2007. It was in this occasion that I decided to enter Seminary.
How did you come to know Jesus Christ?I came to know Jesus Christ through the Neocatechumenal Way. I have found meaning in the sufferings of my life, such as the death of my father when I was 7 years old, and I have discovered that I am not alone.
What is one of your favorite scripture passages? Why?My favorite Scripture passage is Mt 8:23-27 "The calming of the storm." This word reminds me of the power of God who is able to overcome the storms of suffering in my life and to bring me to peace.
What is one thing that people would be surprised to know about you?Actually my friends were very surprised when they found out that I was leaving to the seminary, even though they were respectful of my decision.
Please describe the importance of prayer in your life.Prayer is important to me because through it I can have a dialogue with God and ask him to stay close to me and to guide my life.
What are some of you your favorite books, spiritual readings, magazines?A book about the life of Saint John Bosco.
Is seminary formation what you thought it would be? How has it been similar or different from your expectations?I would say it is similar to my expectations. In fact, I have a cousin who is a priest and another cousin who is a seminarian and both of them had spoken to me about life in the Seminary.
What activities would you recommend in order to foster a culture of vocations?I think that it is important to organize vocational centers in which the youth can pray and scrutinize the Holy Scriptures under the guidance of a priest and a team of catechists.
Did anyone invite you to consider priesthood? Please explain.As I have mentioned above, I have a cousin who is already a priest. Seeing me, sometimes in a state of confusion about what to study at the university, he invited me to consider that maybe God was calling me to enter in a seminary.
What were some of the spiritual events or activities that helped you develop and shape your personal relationship with Christ and His Church?Fundmentatlly the Neocatechumenal Way. The celebrations of the Word of God on Wednesday nights and the Eucharist on Saturday night were the means that allowed me to stay in contact with God.
What signs led you to believe that God was calling you to be a priest?For a time I felt that God was guiding me and inviting me to consider the priesthood through his Word and in the Sacred Scriptures. I also felt that God sent into my life people who, without forcing me, nonetheless helped me to make a decision about the priesthood.
Please tell us, what are some of the most important parts of discernment?For me the most important parts of discernment are the prayer, the reading of the Sacred Scriptures, and an open heart to do the will of God. These are important means to understand what God wants for each of us.
Who influenced you/ inspired you to priesthood? Please explain.My vocation grew through the Neocatechumenal Way and through my contact with priests that were very happy as priests. This experience was important for me and also helped me decide to enter the seminary.
What would you say to a young man who thinks he may have a vocation?I woul tell him to pray and to speak about this with a priest or someone who is wise enough to guide him.
What is your day like in the seminary?We get up at 6:30 AM, we have Morning Prayer, then we have breakfast and right after we go to school. In the afternoon we study and have the Eucharist. After evening prayer, we have dinner and then night prayer.
Through the Cardinal, God is calling you personally to help rebuild His Church. How might the priest respond to this mandate today?I think a priest responds to this mandate by being obedient to the Cardinal and seeing through him the will of God for his life and for his mission.
How does a priest best follow in the footsteps of the apostles?The priest best follows in the footsteps of the apostles through prayer, in being obedient with an open heart to do the will of God.
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