Nick Koley
College III
Hello. My name is Nick Koley and I am from Holy Cross Parish in Omaha, Nebraska. My first thoughts of being a priest were in grade school, however, I often imagined myself as a business and family man. When time came for me to consider choosing a college my goals and ideas had taken on a new meaning, and I felt drawn to attend a college which has an authentic loyalty to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. I knew that I might be called to the priesthood, but felt I was not prepared to enter a seminary, so I applied for and got accepted into the Pre-Theologate Program at Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio, which is a house of formation where men discern a vocation to the priesthood on a college campus through formation with daily Eucharistic adoration, Liturgy of the Hours, study, camaraderie, and small group meetings. After spending two years at Franciscan University, I discerned that the Lord was calling me to apply as a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Omaha, where I later got accepted. I am currently preparing to enter St. John Vianney Seminary in St. Paul, MN, where I will continue to pray and study and discern Our Savior’s Will for me.
It is important to remember that we are all called to be saints, and there are some men whom Jesus is calling personally to share in the Sacrament of Holy Orders as a priest. Without taking time to listen to the Holy Ghost in prayer, it is practically impossible to know the Lord's plan. Also, I firmly believe Our Lady had much to do with my vocational story, and without a devotion to Her, I may have never taken seriously this process of discernment. Please, talk to Our Blessed Mother—She will direct you on the path to holiness and salvation. Finally, make daily visits to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament a high priority. If you are open and honest with the Lord, He will certainly instruct and lead you where you should go, and you will come to understand more fully His holy Will.
