Seminarians with the Oblates of the Virgin Mary begin the formation process at Our Lady of Grace Seminary in Boston, MA. Learn about our seminarians in the United States by reviewing each their profiles and favorite quotes below. We also welcome you to pray for them as they work through formation on the path to taking their final vows.
Br. Christopher Puglia, OMV
Br. Chris was born and raised in Townsend, Massachusetts, along with his younger brother. He earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University in 2017. While at college he was introduced to the Oblates at St. Francis Chapel and St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine. After working for two years as an Electrical Engineer, he began his studies at Our Lady of Grace Seminary in August 2019, completed his novitiate and professed vows in August 2022, and is currently in his second year of philosophy studies.
“Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Romans 12:2
Br. Miguel Roque, OMV
Br. Miggo was born and raised in Paranaque city in the Philippines, and is the youngest of three children. He had his family moved to the U.S. in 2011 and live in southern California. Br. Miggo was a youth leader for Youth for Christ, an outreach of Couples for Christ. He first encountered the Oblates through the OMV parish of St. Peter Chanel in Hawaiian Gardens, where he made the Spiritual Exercises. He graduated from California State University-Long Beach, earning a B.A. in Religious Studies. Br. Miggo enjoys long-distance running and playing basketball. He entered the Oblates in August of 2019, joined the novitiate in August 2021, professed his first vows in August 2022, and is in his second year of theology studies.
“Pray, hope and don’t worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer.”
St. Padre Pio
Andrew Olson
Andrew comes from Glendale, AZ. He became Catholic during his freshman year of college at Arizona State University, where he studied Biochemistry. Shortly after his Confirmation, he felt the Lord calling him to discern the priesthood and eventually spent five years studying in Denver, CO for the Diocese of Phoenix. He later decided to step away from the diocesan formation and take some time to discern where God may be calling him, which led him to the Oblates, who he had met during his time in Denver. Andrew began his first year of postulancy in August of 2022.
“Without a doubt, it is a great grace to receive the Sacraments; but when the good God does not permit it, it is still good, all is grace.”
St. Thérèse of Lisieux
Mark Kragh
Mark grew up near Monterey, CA and is the youngest of three brothers. He graduated with an Electrical Engineering degree from the University of California, San Diego. He then moved to Telford, PA and began working as a quality technician for electrical equipment. He was introduced to the Oblates through their website and was attracted to their mission. He entered postulancy in 2023 and is in his first year of philosophy studies. He enjoys drawing, musical theater, and tabletop role-playing games.
“Through the Immaculate, we can become great saints, and what is more, in an easy way.”
St. Maximilian Kolbe
Recently Ordained and Professed
Join us in celebrating the Priestly Ordination of seminarians who have recently completed their formation with the Oblates of the Virgin Mary.
Fr. Jonathon Hank, OMV
Fr. Jonathon came to us from Corcoran, MN, a small suburb of Minneapolis. The first of three children, Fr. Jonathon earned his B.S. in Physics and Mathematics in 2015 from the University of Minnesota, where he was active in Saint Paul’s Outreach. He first heard of the Oblates when reading Fr. Tim Gallagher’s Discernment of Spirits, and he was recommended to them by the campus minister at his university. He took the leap in August 2016 to begin seminary formation in Boston. He professed his perpetual vows in May 2023 and was ordained to the priesthood on July 27, 2024. In his free time, Fr. Jonathon plays a lot of chess and enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking and camping.
“In all that you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of Christ Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians 3:17
Fr. Jorge Sanchez, OMV
Born as the second of three children in Fullerton, CA, Fr. Jorge later resided in Long Beach. He pursued his passion for film, earning an AA degree in Film from Cerritos College and gaining experience as an assistant on various film shoots. Fr. Jorge’s journey towards the Oblates of the Virgin Mary began when he learned about their mission through his godparents, who celebrated their marriage at the OMV parish of St. Peter Chanel in Hawaiian Gardens, CA.
A lover of film, Fr. Jorge finds inspiration in the works of cinematic giants such as Charlie Chaplin, Alfred Hitchcock, and Christopher Nolan. Beyond his appreciation for the art of filmmaking, he also enjoys editing and writing scripts for films. He professed his first vows in August 2019 and was ordained to the priesthood on July 27, 2024.
“Holiness does not consist in never failing, but in rising immediately, recognizing your weakness and asking God’s forgiveness, and in doing this with peace of heart without letting ourselves be troubled.”
Venerable Bruno Lanteri
Fr. Jay-Ar San Juan, OMV
Fr. Jay-Ar was born and raised in the city of Bandar Seri Begawan in the sultanate of Brunei Darussalam. His family are members of Couples for Christ, an international Catholic lay ecclesial movement originating from the Philippines, and he was a member of their Kids for Christ and Youth for Christ ministries. In 2008, his family migrated to Vancouver, Canada, where he earned an AA from Corpus Christi College and a BA from Christ the King Seminary. He first learned about the Oblates through the VISION Vocations Network, and was attracted to their spirituality and community life. Fr. Jay-Ar entered the Oblates in September of 2017 and was ordained to the priesthood on July 22, 2023.
“To fall in love with God is the greatest romance; to seek him the greatest adventure; to find him, the greatest human achievement.”
St. Augustine of Hippo
Fr. Jonas Verdeflor, OMV
Fr. Jonas is the youngest of three children and comes to us from Queens in New York City. He earned his B.S. in Journalism and Technical Writing from NYU Tandon School of Engineering and worked for twelve years as a copy editor and page designer at various newspapers across the country. He first learned about the Oblates from watching the appearances of Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV on TV and was recommended to the Oblates by his spiritual director. Father Jonas began his first year of postulancy at Our Lady of Grace Seminary in September 2014 and was ordained to the priesthood on June 16, 2023.
“In this world there is tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have conquered the world”
St. John Paul II
Fr. Leland Thorpe, OMV
Father Leland hails from Pittsburgh and has one younger sister. He studied at Carnegie Mellon University where he received his B.S. in Computer Science and his M.S. in Robotics. Working as a software engineer in Pittsburgh, he first heard of the Oblates from reading the books of Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV. Father Leland professed his first vows on August 5, 2017, and his final vows on January 28, 2022, followed by his priestly ordination on August 13, 2022.
“Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ.”
St. John Paul II
Fr. Nathan Marzonie, OMV
Father Nathan comes to us from Flushing, MI. The fifth of six children, he graduated from the University of Michigan in 2011 with a B.S. in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry and a B.S. in Medical Laboratory Science. He was accepted to medical school but felt a call to enter religious life. He was assigned at Holy Ghost Church and the Lanteri Center for Ignatian Spirituality in Denver, Colorado before making his final vows on January 28, 2022, and his priestly ordination on August 13, 2022.
“The world offers you comfort; you were not made for comfort, but for greatness.”
Pope Benedict XVI
- Paul Kallal Ordination (August 2020)
- Rafael Solorio Ordination (July 2019)
- Paul Kallal and Rafael Solorio Solemn Profession (February 2019)
- Paul Nguyen Ordination (August 2018)
Each year on the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary, Oblates and seminarians renew their vows in a special celebration. If you feel that God is also calling you to live a religious life with us, we welcome you to learn more about becoming an Oblate.
