DISCIPLE: Cain Shares His Parish Connections, Call to Priesthood

St. Michael is blessed with a long history of vocations to priesthood and religious life, and that history has experienced a resurgence in the past two decades. Currently four young men from our parish are discerning diocesan priesthood—three in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and one in the Diocese of Bismarck. In the latest issue of DISCIPLE, we shared their stories in their own words. Here is the second.

THOMAS CAIN

Aspirant, Saint Paul Seminary, Saint Paul, MN
Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

My mom Teri Cain, née Nelles, and her siblings grew up in Fletcher. While my mom and dad, Brendan, moved my three brothers and I all around the nation, the rest of my aunts and uncles largely remained around the area. My uncle Fran Nelles moved first to St. Michael and raised my cousins there, and my late aunt Mary Ann Nelles was a St. Michael parishioner for over 20 years. My parents now live in St. Michael as well.

The call to priesthood begins with living as a disciple of Jesus, which I began to try my best to do after my freshman year of high school, when I experienced the power of Jesus in a beautiful way. The call to priesthood resonated in my heart at Mass one Sunday when I was a junior. It grew off and on over the years as I was in college. At times I felt as if I wanted to go to seminary as soon as possible; other times it wasn’t high on my list. What was always consistent was growth in my relationship with Jesus and trying to do His will in my life in the little day-to-day and week-to-week things.

After graduating with a Master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma, I moved to San Antonio, Texas, to work as a structural engineer. I met great friends who helped me grow even more in my faith and made wonderful memories. Midsummer of 2021, I heard strongly the call to the priesthood again, and in prayer, it became clear that Jesus was then asking me to leave San Antonio and go to seminary. I began the application process with Father Blume in the Vocations Office here when I visited my family for Thanksgiving last year. Over the last year, Jesus has continued to affirm in prayer that this is right where I need to be. These first couple months of seminary have been filled to the brim with blessings and graces from the Lord that help me hear His voice more clearly.

For all Catholic boys, I would tell you to take your relationship with Jesus and your Catholic faith seriously. Your relationship with Jesus grows primarily through prayer, so make time in your day to pray and read the Bible. Begin with the Gospel of Mark and the Book of Psalms if you’ve never read the Bible much before. Ask someone to help you if you’re not sure how to pray. A bonus piece of advice for those interested in the priesthood: Ask for a copy of a good book on discernment, such as To Save A Thousand Souls by Father Brett Brannen, from your priests or the Vocations Office.