Shaun Galvin

Year in Seminary: Philosophy – 1st Year
Age: 28
Home Parish(es): St. Thomas Aquinas

At what point in your life did your faith come alive? How did this happen?
During my freshman year at college I went on a retreat called the Buffalo Awakening. I went just to try to make some friends, however God had much more in store for me. Throughout the weekend’s talks, being surrounded by people living their faith, and a few little unexplainable occurances I came to a point that I was ready to make God a part of my life. I didn’t know how to do that so I asked God to do it for me and he has.

When did you first consider becoming a priest? What made you consider it?
I first considered becoming a priest at the end of my freshman year of college. I had a coule of friends who were considering the priesthood. I had never thought about it before but I knew that since I am a single Catholic man that it is a possibility. I thought I ought to at least be open to it.

Name one person who influences your decision to go seminary. How did this person encourage you?
I had a mentor in college who I met and talked about my discernment with regularly. At this point I was excited about the possibility of being a priest but not so much about the other vocations; marriage or single life. Through our talks he helped me to see the beauty of each of the vocations. I realized that no matter what I was called to it would be great in that each of them is a calling to give my life completely for others.

What do you enjoy most about the seminary?
There is a lot of support that you are given in your discernment and personal growth. For a number of years before I came to the seminary I tried to do all of this myself. Since coming to the seminary God has used the priests I live with, my spiritual director, teachers, and a number of other people to help me along in ways that I could never have done on my own.

What would be your one piece of advice for a young man discerning his vocation?
For a long time I was stuck in my discernment of my vocation. I didn’t know what God was calling me to and I just kept trying to figure it out. It finally dawned on me that I was going about this all wrong and that what I ought to do instead is try my best to grow in my relationship with God and then when I am ready He will be able to just tell me. I did just this and it’s worked out better than I could ever have imagined.