As has become the norm at our monthly breakfast meetings, over 100 Catholic Business Professionals packed the Fleming Center at the Cathedral of the Incarnation to salute the Seminarians of the Diocese of Nashville.

Nearly two dozen current Seminarians, in various stages of ascension to the Priesthood, were in attendance. Father Austin Gilstrap, who leads the Diocese’s Seminarian program, introduced both young men who spoke about their path to the vocation.

Deacon Mark Simpson, a Nashville-native and Montgomery Bell Academy graduate, was the first to speak. He emphasized that his faith began at home. Coming from a large, Catholic family (he is one of ten children), religion was a focal point of life growing up. When he made the choice to pursue the Priesthood, his Grandma was so excited that she began bragging about to friends and family.

Quinn Robinson, also a native Nashvillian and a Father Ryan graduate, spoke after Deacon Simpson. Quinn is not as far along into his path toward becoming a priest, yet he is enjoying the experience immensely. He also stressed that his faith began at home, and that a strong foundation is a huge help in being a lifelong, devout Catholic. A former standout athlete in high school, it was as he recovered from a serious concussion that he realized the vocation was his calling.

It was our honor to hear both Deacon Simpson’s and Quinn’s stories, and to honor and salute all of the young men in our Diocese who are dedicating their lives to making our community stronger.