Q & A with Jason Adams

Theology II at Pontifical North American College, Rome
Projected Ordination Year: 2012

Home Parish: St. Theresa, Cordele, Ga.



When did you decide to study to be a priest? How did you know God was calling you to be a priest?

I first decided to study to be a priest once I attended a Vocation's Retreat to see if I had "the call" and I finally requested an application to apply to study for the priesthood once I had visited a seminary. I still do not know if God is 100% calling me to be a priest, but I do know that I am in the right environment to discern.

What do you think the best thing will be about being a priest?

Without a doubt, it will be the ability to bring people to Jesus, and Jesus to people. There are so many people right now who do not know of Christ's love for them and I want them to know that there is nothing so bad that God would not forgive and love them. Furthermore, the United States needs to see that there are still many young men who are willing to give up many freedoms in order to live a self-less life for others. By being a priest, I would like to be an example of someone who is passionate about cheerfully serving his flock so as to inspire others to perhaps consider the call to study for the priesthood.

Who or what influenced you to study for the priesthood?

My friend Kevin Pinto and Pope John Paul II were the two people who had the most profound impact on my choosing to study for the priesthood. It was Kevin who kept encouraging me to discern because I owed it to myself to make sure I was doing what God had planned for me. While John Paul II's death taught me the need of how the world is yearning for more good holy men to take up the call and help preserve the Church for many more years to come. Between these two individuals, and a visit to Franciscan University at Steubenville, Ohio, that I decided that I needed to make sure I was now doing what God wanted for me and not necessarily what I wanted to do for myself.

If you were not a priest, what do you think you would do?

Before discerning to study for the priesthood, I was a political science major and I had thought about being a lawyer and eventually seeking to hold public office. Now I believe if I were not to become a priest, then I would probably join an organization which seeks to promote inter-religious dialogue. For as this world continues to grow, people are now coming into contact with others who do not express the same beliefs that we hold and I believe that we need to be able to dialogue on things that we can agree on so as to prevent us form harmfully judging and attacking others for what religious differences we may or may not have. It is only through this dialogue that we will be able to peacefully co-exist and work for the common good together so as to eventually prevent future crimes and wars.

What was the reaction of those closest to you when you entered the Seminary?

Fortunately for me, all of my intermediate and extended family have been very supportive of me and they reacted with great joy, including the non-Catholic ones. They all believe it can only be God's work that someone from little old Cordele, Ga could possibly be called to be a priest. Additionally, all of my friends and professors from college are supportive because they have never known anyone to have discerned the priesthood before and I am glad that I help answer questions they have while trying to set a good example since for some, I am the only Catholic that they have ever known.

Do you ever have any fun? What do you do in your free time at the seminary?

Contrary to what some may think, yes you can have fun in the seminary and I do. Though I am not in to playing some of the sports that are offered, I enjoy going to the gym. Also, I have had the chance to go to the Gettysburg battlefield, Washing DC, and even to Baltimore to watch an Orchestra perform for the first time. When we had all of that snow in February, I had a chance for the first time to participate in snowball fights and even go riding down the hills of snow on a circular disk. Also, on Monday nights I join some fellow seminarians and faculty members in the Game Room to watch "24." However, when there is free time I can usually be found catching up on my sleep.

How many brothers and sisters do you have? Do you see much of your family and friends outside the seminary?

I have one sister who is three years younger than me who is also trying to figure out what God wants for her life. However, since entering seminary, I have not been able to see my family and friends often; mainly, because my home is 12 hours away. Nevertheless, on some of the breaks I do go back home to see my family and friends. Though I may not see them as often as I would like, I call home every week and e-mail my grandparents weekly also. Additionally, I try to rotate calling all of my close friends once a month while e-mailing others.

Though you may not make much money as a priest, can you still really be happy?

I believe most people will tell you that money cannot and does not buy happiness. Of course I can be very happy and fulfilled without having to make much money because I am trying to fulfill what God wants for me and doing His will is what helps provide happiness. As a matter of fact, if your current job, no matter the pay, is not ever making you happy, then you are in the wrong place. For me, this is my first year of studying for the priesthood and just knowing that I have people out there praying for me as I study to prepare myself for future service to the Diocese of Savannah provides me with happiness during the most stressful days I may have at the seminary.

Do you ever get bored while studying to be a priest?

Haha, ask any priest or seminarian this question and you will provide them with a good laugh. Here at Mount Saint Mary's Seminary, there are so many different personalities from many different parts of the country that it makes for some fun entertainment at any moment. Even when you are not around your peers, there is plenty of work or studying to be done. Once you think you have done all of your work, then it is either bed time or time to pray thanking God for what He has provided you.

How is seminary different than a regular school?

First of all, everyone is the same religion as you. Being in public school for so long, I find it refreshing for once to be with others who are of the same faith and here for the same purpose of learning how to prepare themselves for the future service of the people in their dioceses. Also, the seminary is different from a regular school because the faculty lives in the same building as you and can watch you outside of class.

What scares you about becoming a priest?

Since this is my first year of six in the seminary, I am still making sure that this is where God wants me to be. Nevertheless, I am sure I can best answer this question as I complete more years in formation.

What would you say to other young men who may be wondering if they have a vocation to the priesthood?

First, I would say that you need to begin having lots of prayerful conversations with God where you pour out all your questions and submit them to His will. Besides prayer, I next recommend that you contact the vocation director and attend a vocation's retreat since you are now open to the possibility that God could be calling you to the priesthood and the vocation's director will help guide you from there. Finally, I would say that you need to visit a seminary to see the holy and fraternal environment and ask yourself if you can at least invest nine months of your life here.