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
Br. Andrew Olson, OMV
Br. 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 diocesan formation and take some time to discern where God may be calling him. This led him to the Oblates, whom he had met during his time in Denver.
Br. Andrew began his postulancy in August of 2022, entered the novitiate in July of 2023, and made his first profession of vows in August of 2024. He is in his fourth year of theology studies.
“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
Zach Smith
Zach grew up in Belleville, MI and has one younger sister. He earned his B.S. in Computer Engineering from Michigan Technological University in 2020. Immediately after college Zach became a campus missionary with the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, (FOCUS). He served four years total, two in Massachusetts and two in Missouri. It was through his time with FOCUS where he got to know and serve with the Oblates. Zach is discerning the call to priesthood, to follow Christ more closely in religious life with the Oblates.
Currently, he is a postulant and is in his first year of philosophy studies. He enjoys being outdoors, especially mountain biking and hiking.
“And this is eternal life, that they know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.”
John 17:3
Xavier Stooks
Xavier was born and raised in Tampa, Florida in the loving embrace of a strong Catholic family of 7, with 5 siblings, who were instilled with the importance and beauty of our great faith. Community was always present and sought after. Xavier completed his Associates Degree in Health Sciences at Santa Fe College where he also served at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Gainesville as an altar server, RCIA sponsor, and bible study leader. Xavier enjoys playing basketball, singing, spiritual reading, and all things saints.
Drawn profoundly on a Come And See visit in 2022, he responded to the call to begin seminary formation in Boston.
“The moment I realized that God existed, I knew that I could not do otherwise than to live for him alone … Faith strips the mask from the world and reveals God in everything. It makes nothing impossible and renders meaningless such words as anxiety, danger, and fear, so that the believer goes through life calmly and peacefully, with profound joy- like a child, hand in hand with his mother.”
Charles de Foucauld
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 Ordination (July 2023)
- Fr. Jonas Verdeflor Ordination (June 2023)
- Fr. Leland Thorpe Ordination (August 2022)
- Fr. Nathan Marzonie Ordination (August 2022)
- Fr. Paul Kallal Ordination (August 2020)
- Fr. Rafael Solorio Ordination (July 2019)
- Fr. 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.
