Andrew Roelands

What did you do prior to entering seminary?
Immediately prior to coming to seminary I lived at home with my parents and siblings. I worked on our family farm helping with anything from feeding pigs to construction projects. I also was just finishing up high school. I did grade 13 part time the year prior to coming to seminary because I needed to gain a few credits to enter the academic program. I also went to WYD in Poland the summer before entering the seminary. 

What influenced your decision to apply for seminary entrance?
What influenced my decision to apply to St. Peter’s Seminary the most was doing a ‘Come and See’ weekend. On the weekend I realized that the seminary was not as bad as I thought is was going to be. I found it a very peaceful and prayerful place. I was able to speak with the vocations director (Fr. Beneteau at the time) and he helped me with the many questions and concerns that I had with the seminary and possibly coming to study there. After this weekend I didn’t feel so nervous about applying and then I ended up applying for the following fall. 

Why do you want to be a priest?
I want to be a priest because I think this is what Jesus wants me to do. During the last two years of high school I frequently spent time kneeling in prayer before Jesus truly present in the tabernacle in my school’s chapel. Through spending my time in this way my calling in life became clear to me, I felt deep in my heart that God wanted me to be a priest.

What are your favorite pastimes?
I enjoy playing sports, studying the Faith, and especially being with my family and friends. 

What is your favorite quote?
My favorite quote is from St. John Bosco. He said, “Do not put off till tomorrow the good you can do today. You may not have a tomorrow.”

Who is your favorite Saint and why?
My favorite saint is St. John Bosco. I read a biography of his life in grade six and this had a profound effect on me. I felt that God might want me to be a priest, but it more importantly made me want to strive for holiness. I realized that he was just a farm kid like me and if I trusted in God like he did, and if I worked hard that I too could be holy. And I am still working at it today because it is a never-ending project in this life.

What advice would you give to a young man thinking about the seminary?
I would tell this man to pray before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and to kneel before Him, if possible. We all are meant of offer our life to Jesus in love no matter what vocation we have, so kneeling before Him, our God and King, is a powerful habit to gain because it will be a reminder to us of the humble love that we should have. I would also recommend that they pray the holy rosary most especially along with other traditional devotions. Our Blessed Mother is always ready to lovingly help her children who come to her for help. Finally, I would tell them to read the lives of the saints and books written by them because these will prove to be priceless examples for them.