HIGHLIGHTINGACURRENT PRE-THEOLOGYSTUDENT

Jack Cairns

the Eucharist as I spent more time in prayer in front of our Lord in the tabernacle. I also tried to receive our Lord more often and with due preparation.

Being drawn into the beauty of the priesthood, it also became clearer to me how much priests are needed to teach the truth, to defend the weak, and to battle for souls. In prayer, I felt that the Lord may be asking me to be a priest; I prayed for the willingness to do whatever God wanted me to do.

In 2021, I decided to take a step into formal priestly formation for the Diocese of Albany, which included studies at St Bernard’s Attending St Bernard’s has been one of many gifts I have received in my vocation journey I have found the academic studies to be both rigorous and outstanding What I love most is the fact that the professors are faithful to the Church and encourage me, through their example, in the Christian life

The one thing that I look forward to most about being a priest is hearing confessions, thereby being a part of the bestowal of Christ's mercy and compassion. I have confidence that God will continue to guide me in this journey. I also know that my peace is found in doing God’s will. There is no true peace in anything else! Please pray for me and my fellow seminarians

Jack Cairns is in his second year of pre-theology studies for the Diocese of Albany. He is studying Catholic Philosophy at St. Bernard’s as a prerequisite for further studies in theology. Jack grew up in Rochester, NY, is a graduate of McQuaid Jesuit High School, and earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Marquette University.