Nearly every seat was filled this morning as we welcomed more than a dozen seminarians from the Diocese of Nashville to this morning’s breakfast meeting! Rev. Mr. Christian Hamrick, an alumnus of Father Ryan High School, shared many lessons about life in the seminary and its impact on his life, while fielding several questions from our members and guests in attendance.
Deacon Hamrick began by laying out the four stages of seminarian formation: Propaedeutic, Discipleship, Configuration and Vocational Synthesis. The propaedeutic phase primarily prepares men for their life in the seminary, particularly in teaching them how to pray. He shared that the teachings of prayer and spiritual life are poured into these men quite heavily at the onset; throughout their time in the seminary, they increasingly begin pouring out these teachings into their communities. The Discipleship and Configuration stages focus on philosophy and theology, respectively, before the final phase of Vocational Synthesis in which the men go through the diaconate and engage in parish ministry for at least six months.
Deacon Hamrick did not know immediately after his graduation that he would want to enter the seminary, but his intent to enter the priesthood grew steadily as he continuously prayed and committed to spiritual direction. “A good sign of whether I’m called to be a priest is whether the vocation becomes more and more attractive,” he said. That was indeed the case, as he began at Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, moved to a seminary in Dallas and has now been in Rome for the last four years. In every location, there has been a strong — and increasingly strong — attraction to the priesthood.
How did he know that the attraction kept growing? Prayer. In any vocation, “If it’s not supported by prayer, it won’t work,” Deacon Hamrick added.
Deacon Hamrick’s time in Rome also coincided with the papal conclave and the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV, becoming the first Pope born in North America. When asked about his election and its impact on seminarians and vocations, Deacon Hamrick shared that there was “complete euphoria when he was elected,” adding that “there’s been an excitement and reengagement” with the vocational life in the United States because of Pope Leo’s relation to us as Americans.
He also referenced Rev. Luke Wilgenbusch — the Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Nashville — whose homily at Mass before the meeting pointed to the theme of divine providence. Deacon Hamrick noted that divine providence coming into play in the election of Pope Leo XIV, at a time when Americans are in search of a shepherd to bring us closer to God and connect us more deeply with the Catholic faith.
Deacon Henry Barrow, a first-year seminarian in the propaedeutic phase — in which seminarians give up technology — also joined the discussion to answer a question about exercises that we can take in our daily lives to reduce stress that may drain our spirituality. Through his experience in this stage, he has recognized that avoiding technology, attending daily Mass and embracing the sacraments have provided valuable instruction for strengthening his prayer life and push through any negativity that may arise in society.
We look forward to celebrating with our community as Deacon Hamrick, Deacon Justin Farr, Deacon Joe Hinderer and Deacon Joseph Ngo are ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, August 9th, at 10am CT at the Cathedral! Thank you, Deacon Hamrick and all of our seminarians, for your thoughtful insight into your formation, and we’ll see you all for our next meeting on August 14!
