Our Friend the Seminarian

Caitlan Rangel discusses her family’s friendship with a seminarian and considers how our different vocations can be gifts to each other. 

About one year ago, I took our one-year-old outside after receiving the Eucharist at Mass because the pew could no longer contain his squirming body. As I watched our son toddle around, a young man walked up to us. 

”Hi,” I said with a smile. 

“Hi,” he returned with a smile, “I’m the new seminarian, Ivan.” 

A Year of Friendship 

Over the last year, our family, and particularly my children, have been blessed by Ivan’s friendship. Our friendship with Ivan has reminded me of the gift that God gives us in our vocations — to the priesthood, married life, consecrated life, etc. — and how our different vocations can bless and strengthen each other. 

Ivan will soon leave our parish to continue his studies before ordination, and I thought one of the best ways to say “goodbye for now” would be to write an article about his impact on our family’s life. 

In My Daughter’s Words 

While I could certainly say more, I thought the most meaningful words would come from one of my children, my 8-year-old daughter, Elizabeth. 

Me: What do you know about Ivan?
Elizabeth: Ivan is kind, funny, good at soccer, friendly, and loves kids.

Me: What do you like most about Ivan?
Elizabeth: Some people don’t pay attention to kids but Ivan really pays attention and likes playing with kids. 

Me: Why do you think Ivan will be a good priest?
Elizabeth: Because priests have to show Jesus’ love to others and Ivan shows lots of love to others, especially kids. When other adults don’t want to play, Ivan will always play. 

Me: What’s something about God or our faith that Ivan has shared with you?
Elizabeth: Ivan has a bracelet that says WWJD. That means “What Would Jesus Do,” and the other side of the bracelet says HWLF, “He Would Love First.” 

Me: What do you think Ivan likes about our family?
Elizabeth: He thinks it’s funny when [baby brother] Owen eats kale from our garden when Ivan is over for dinner. We are also a lot like Ivan. We are funny and good at soccer. 

Gifts to Each Other 

Perhaps the next time your parish welcomes a new seminarian, you could have him over for lunch or dinner. Our families can be a gift to seminarians in their vocations. We get to share the way God’s love lives in our families (even in our imperfection!). And our seminarians and priests can be a gift to our families — in their faithfulness, their sacrifice, and their desire to serve the Lord (even in their imperfection!). 

A Common Root and Mission  

Our different states of life all “share the same root in the love of Christ,” said Pope Benedict XVI. Because of that, we have “a common mission — to witness to and make present this love” in the world. 

Let’s pray for each other in our different vocations — that we might love generously, serve with joy, and embrace true humility that leads to freedom of heart and mind. And, if you remember, say a special prayer for our friend, seminarian Ivan. 

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Copyright 2025 Caitlan Rangel
Images: (top, center) copyright 2025 Caitlan Rangel, all rights reserved; (bottom) Canva