Meet Our Seminarians

Br. Christopher Puglia, OMV

Br. Christopher Puglia, OMV, was born and raised in Townsend, Massachusetts, alongside his younger brother. He earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University in 2017. During his time 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. He completed his novitiate and professed vows in August 2022. Having served for a year at St. Peter Chanel Parish in California, he is currently back in Boston completing his Theological studies.

Br. Chris professed his perpetual vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience in September 2026.

Br. Miguel Roque, OMV

Br. Miggo was born and raised in Paranaque city in the Philippines, and is the youngest of three children. He and his family moved to the U.S. in 2011 and live in Orange County, 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 2019, joined the novitiate in August 2021, professed his first vows in August 2022, and completed a pastoral year in 2024 at our parish, San Pedro, in Venice, Florida. He is currently in his third year of theology studies.

Br. Miggo professed his perpetual vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience in September 2026.

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 currently on pastoral assignment.

Shea Mattson

Shea comes from Selah, Washington and was raised with two sisters. He attended the University of Idaho from 2020-25 and competed on the Vandals’ track and cross country programs for all five years. He finished school with an M.A.T. in Secondary Education along with a Minor in History and a B.A. in Broadcasting and Digital Media. He first encountered the Oblates while attending a Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) Summer Projects site in Newry, Maine during the summer of 2022. Undergoing spiritual direction for several years and participating in Idaho’s “Vandal Catholic” community helped him uncover a calling to discern the religious life and priesthood in Boston. 

He is currently in his second year of formation as a postulant. Outside of running, he enjoys watching college football, eating his mom’s cooking, and getting outdoors with friends.

Simon Neta

Simon grew up with three siblings in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He studied petroleum engineering at the University of North Dakota. During this time, the Newman Center community helped him personally encounter Jesus. Upon graduation in 2022, he served as a missionary with the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS). He met the Oblates during this time in California and was inspired to apply.  

Currently, he is a postulant and is in his second year of philosophy studies. He enjoys cooking, board games and hiking.

Gabriel Vargas

Gabriel was born and raised in San José, Costa Rica, and has one younger brother. He earned a degree in Software Engineering from Tecnológico de Costa Rica. He first encountered the Oblates through books published by Oblate priests, and later through spiritual direction and retreats with a priest formed at the Lanteri Center for Ignatian Spirituality. Gabriel enjoys reading, hiking, and music.

He began seminary formation in August 2026 and is currently in his first year of postulancy.

Nick Kelley

Nicholas grew up in a military family before settling in Knoxville, Tennessee, which he considers home. He graduated from Knoxville Catholic High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Tennessee. He worked for nearly a decade in information technology before entering formation. He has served in parish ministry to the sick and homebound and later worked for the Diocese of Knoxville. He enjoys running and playing cards.

After several years of vocational discernment, including a year of formation with the Jesuits, Nicholas entered the Oblates of the Virgin Mary as a postulant in August 2026. He is currently studying philosophy.

Jack Lovell

Jack grew up in Cold Spring, New York with two brothers and an older sister. He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Shortly after he moved to Boston for work, and it was then that he met the Oblates and got involved with ministry. Jack likes to fly fish, adventure outside, watch the Arsenal, and hang out with his brothers.  

Jack entered the Oblates of the Virgin Mary as a postulant in August 2026.