Joseph O’Sullivan

Year in Seminary: Spirituality Year
Age: 20
Home Parish(es): St. Frances Cabrini

What was one of the most important things that helped you take the step into seminary?
Recognizing that it was ultimately my decision, and that my family and friends would not be able to make the right decision for me. Not even God would make the decision for me. Once I accepted that, I felt a lot more free to just make a decision based on what I wanted and what I thought was right.

What do you enjoy most about the seminary?
People can unite around a lot of different visions, values, mission statements, and goals–say, an athletic team–but there is nothing that unites men like rallying around Jesus Christ. It is the ultimate ’vision,’ so to speak. It simultaneously satisfies my longing for adventure, mission, and intimacy.

What would be your one piece of advice for a young man discerning his vocation?
Do not be anxious. If you are anxious, it may be because you are focusing too much attention on ”figuring out” God’s will in your life. Love him, pray, and keep his commandments and your spiritual confidence will start to go up. From there you will be able to make decisions much more peacefully about the direction of your life.

Describe your relationship with the Blessed Mother.
My relationship with Mary has many sides. She can be motherly, serious, funny, lighthearted, understanding, and nourishing. Over time, it has become obvious to me that she enjoys me being her son. Likewise, I feel free to show her all the different sides to my identity.

What is a good book for someone thinking about his vocation?
No book has made a bigger impact on my life than ”Prayer” by Hans Urs Von Balthasar. It impacted my prayer life so intensely that my life almost immediately started changing course. I suggest a book on prayer here because it was only out of my personal relationship with Jesus Christ that any calling in life was clear or peaceful to me.