• History
  • Spirituality
  • Mission
  • Vocations
    • What to Expect
    • Our Seminarians
    • Formation
    • Signs of an OMV Vocation
    • Entering Seminary
    • Vocation Director
  • Apostolate
  • Where We Serve

Our Seminarians

Br. Sean Morris, OMV

Although feeling a call to religious life in his early teens, Sean pursued a career in teaching. Originally from Washington, Sean moved to Alaska to take a position teaching a Middle School class with thirteen students. It was while reading a copy of Vision magazine that Sean noticed an advertisement for the Oblates of the Virgin Mary seminary. "It was their charism that drew me to learn more." After much soul searching, Sean applied to the seminary and was able to join the formation program in September 2000. He will be ordained to the diaconate in May 2008.

"I like the community, their spirit, prayer life and structure. The foundational classes are interesting and the instructors are always available to provide support."


Br. Michael Warren, OMV

Mike was born in 1972 in Binghamton, New York. He graduated from Seton Hall University in 1995 with a BS Degree in Economics. While enjoying a successful professional career in business and working as a youth minister in his local parish, Mike first thought about dedicating his life to the Church. He investigated many seminaries. What drew Mike to the Oblates was their devotion to the Eucharist and our Blessed Mother, the quality of the education, the excellence of the faculty and their commitment to the Magisterium of the Church.

"The formation program has it all: daily prayer, retreats, days of recollection, a quality faculty, depth of education and service assignments. The intellectual, spiritual and material resources give an unmatched opportunity for those who aspire to make a contribution to the Church. I find philosophy and theology enlightening and fun! The priests, brothers and seminarians are one with Christ and the Church, and they are very down to earth."


Br. John Luong, OMV

John was born on the Fourth of July to Chinese parents and grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He studied biology at Dominican University in Sienna Heights, Michigan and worked preparing chemotherapy drugs at the University of Colorado Hospital. He was introduced to the Oblates by the Archbishop of Denver, and after a "come and see" week in Boston, decided that it was with the Oblates that he wanted to spend the rest of his life.

"I came, I saw and I stayed. Christ and Mary conquered my heart. I am happy to be here to discern my call to religious life."


Joseph Lising

Joseph was born in 1975 and grew up in California with a twin brother and older sister. He received his B.A. in philosophy from the University of California at Irvine. After working in commercial real estate for over seven years, he was lured away from Corporate America toward the unlikely fast track of the religious life. While remaining the owner of a Catholic bookstore he started in California called The Crusade, he is in his novitiate year.

"The call to religious life to me is one of the most romantic relationships I have ever found myself in. I think it is beautiful when a young couple falls in love and gets married and has a family and then lives a happy and wonderful life together. Above and beyond this is when a soul falls in love with the Christ and knows that it must forsake all other loves so as to belong solely to him, but knows full well that it will not be fully united in this life."


Br. Nnamdi Moneme, OMV

Born in 1974 in Kaduna, Nigeria, Nnamdi is part of the Igbo tribe. He earned a B.S. in physics from the University of Nigeria and worked as a telecom engineer in his homeland before coming to the United States in 1999. He entered the Oblates in the fall of 2001 and entered the novitiate (a special year of prayer and spiritual formation) in August of 2003. On August 15, 2004, Nnamdi concluded his novitiate with the profession of first vows and reception of the Oblate habit. Now known as Br. Nnamdi, he is pursuing theological studies in preparation for priestly ordination.

"When I think of my first profession of vows, I recall the faithfulness and generosity of Mary. This is how I want to live the vows - not as a mere duty but with generosity. I wish to imitate Mary's generous spirit."


Br. Tom Cannon

Hailing from Denver, Colorado, Tom was born on February 11, 1965. He received a B.S. in Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and a M.B.A. from the University of Colorado. His position as strategic marketing manager gave him the opportunity to work in Hong Kong, Qatar, Brazil, Mexico, and many other places around the world. Tom entered the Oblates in the Fall of 2004.

"God had been calling me in so many ways throughout my life. I have answered that call and have embraced a new way of life. I am happy to be preparing for a vocation to the priesthood."