A novice is a member of Holy Cross who is in the process of preparing for a life dedicated to their faith, but they’re not quite priests or full-fledged brothers yet. During this journey, they get to experience different ministry opportunities all across the country. Some may find themselves in schools, while others might spend time at churches or parishes, and even at universities or colleges, where they can observe and learn from those who have also chosen the path of religious life. At Cathedral two of its very own educators have chosen that religious life and were working in helping two novices in their preparation; math educator, Father Geoff Mooney, and math and religion educator, Brother Matt Rehagen.
During the month of January through early February, two novices, Nathanial and Nicholas visited Cathedral as part of their faith preparation. They began each day at Cathedral with morning prayer followed by Mass in the school’s chapel. After that, they spend their school day, speaking with students about their faith and participating in various activities with them. They wrap up each day with another prayer before going home, where they have some time to do anything they wish. However, they often come back to Cathedral for any sports matches or other events the school is hosting.
Father Geoff Mooney, a priest and Algebra teacher at Cathedral, plays a key role as a mentor for Nathaniel and Nicholas on their journey at Cathedral. He said, “I noticed their willingness and desire just to jump right into things, so I admire their courage and commitment to be amid ministry and school and education.” Behind the scenes, he ensures they are well-supported and informed about their daily schedules. Midway through their month-long stay at Cathedral, Father Geoff held a formal meeting with each one of them, where they reflected on their experiences, shared challenges, and celebrated their successes. Together they discussed whether these particular ministries resonate with their future aspirations, or if they might find other paths within the Holy Cross that speak to them.
Nicholas’ journey towards his faith begins right at home with his five siblings. As the oldest of 3 sisters and 2 brothers, his upbringing played a big role in shaping his devotion to Christ. Growing up in a Catholic family and attending Catholic schools throughout his life, laid a strong foundation for him. It sparked his desire to seek a deeper connection with God, wanting to really know Him personally and find out how he could serve Him best. Recalling his parents encouraging him to explore different ways of getting to know God better, he commented that they shared with him that while he could love God wholeheartedly, there was a unique path open to him, one that didn’t involve marriage but could lead to the priesthood or a religious life dedicated to serving God.
This idea started to blossom in his mind during his transition from middle school to high school. Nicholas faced a period of turmoil after moving from Corvallis to Portland, Oregon in the 8th grade. Yet, in the midst of that disarray, he found moments where he felt God’s voice cutting through the uncertainties he was experiencing. Even though he still loved God deeply, he put those thoughts aside and tried to have an ordinary high school experience. Not quite ready to fully accept that calling just yet, he kept pushing it to the back of his mind. However, the question of his vocation lingered on during his college years at the University of Portland, where he studied history and Spanish. It was always calling him to reflect on his future path.
Being a freshman in college in March of 2020 marked another moment of disruption as COVID hit, yet it became an opportunity for God’s presence to shine through. During that period of quarantine, Nicholas engaged in deep reflection and prayer, embracing his faith more fully and responding to the call he felt within his heart. He said, “This was another period of disruption and weirdness in my life, but another opportunity for God’s ways to kind of come through more clearly for me.” Upon returning to college, he participated in a faith leadership program at the University of Portland and sought guidance from a spiritual director, who helped him unpack his fears and doubts while clarifying his calling to religious life. Graduating in 2023, he joined the Congregation of Holy Cross. He said, “Part of the reason I chose that religious community as opposed to the other programs, was that I was really drawn in and inspired by the way the men lived together and how they had a lot of a common purpose in the mission, and how they lived as kind of a family together. It reminded me of the way that I had grown in my family at home.”
Nicholas was able to visit various religion classes to share his story and also any advice he has for any students discerning a religious vocation. He shares that the most important thing to do is to prioritize prayer. To thoughtfully consider such a vocation, an individual must cultivate a close relationship with God, as prayer is a powerful means to hear His voice and understand His calling. He emphasizes that even amidst life’s ups and downs, it is essential to remain faithful and place oneself in God’s presence, allowing Him to reveal His desires for your life. He said, “You have to be prayerful, you have to be willing to take time out of your day and discipline yourself so that you have space for prayers and so that you can hear His voice and be able to follow it.”
After leaving Cathedral, Nicholas aspires to complete his novitiate and take his first vows. His long-term goal is to discern well while attentively listening to God’s voice, whether it leads him through formation to ordination and priesthood, what he believes is his calling, or down a different path. He said, “If He leads me into another direction, I willingly and freely follow that path and kind of live the sanctity that He wants from my life, whether that looks like being a husband and a father or a priest and a religious.”
Nathaniel, Cathedrals second novice, story begins in middle school when he first considered the prospect of religious life and the priesthood. It was during high school that his faith journey truly took flight. As a sophomore, he faced essential questions that challenged his beliefs. He said, “I wanted to know why I was Catholic, why I was going to church, why I believe what I did, and if I truly believed it, how I could authentically live it out?” Initially, his understanding of God was basic and simplistic. However, as he went deeper into his Catholic faith, he discovered that everyone has a personal and loving God who desires a genuine relationship with each person. This realization prompted him to grow in his relationship with God through prayer which he recognized as crucial in discerning a religious vocation.
During this time, the call to religious life and the priesthood grew more pronounced within him. Like many of his peers, he experienced FOMO (fear of missing out) regarding a “normal” life, He decided to set his calling aside temporarily, intending to revisit it later. After graduating high school, Nathaniel felt unsure about pursuing college, so he decided to take 2 gap years while continuing homeschool studies. During these 2 years, he spent a summer abroad with a scouting program, and ultimately decided to attend Mount Saint Mary’s University in Maryland, where he studied economics, French, and German while competing on the cross country and track and field team.
Through daily Mass, confession, and participating in the Sacraments, his faith continued to deepen. Throughout his freshman, sophomore, and junior year in college, he entered into a serious relationship with a girl he had met there. They discussed significant life decisions, including marriage and family, however that calling he heard continued to linger in his mind, something that could potentially shift the relationship he had with her. In the spring of his junior year he traveled to Guyana in South America, where his experiences with the local people helped him encounter Christ in a new way. Upon his return to the United States, COVID struck, and he and his girlfriend had an honest discussion about his feelings regarding religious life. Encouraged by her, he officially began exploring the various religious communities, including the congregation of Holy Cross.
After graduating college in 2001 with a full ride scholarship, Nathaniel spent a year and a half in Madagascar, where he taught English, trained teachers, and immersed himself in the local culture and language. He said, “ Living in Africa was incredibly challenging physically, emotionally, spiritually. It truly pushed my boundaries, and I cherished every moment, both the good and the bad. It was there that I deepened my relationship with God.”
Upon returning to America, Nathaniel knew he was called to a religious vocation, prompting him to enter postulancy. There, he met Nicholas and other classmates, where he began a year of philosophy at the University of Notre Dame. In August, he transitioned into the Novitiate, where he and Nicholas have been for the past 5 months.
Regarding his time at Cathedral, Nathinel expresses his enjoyment in getting to know the students and is impressed by the dedication and support from the faculty. He said, “I appreciate that Cathedral has a strong sense of identity and isn’t afraid to express it, which is especially commendable for a Catholic institution.” After Cathedral, he will return to the Novitiate for 6 months before taking his vows in August. He plans to return to Notre Dame for 4 years to study theology and ministry, honing his skills to serve as a priest. Cathedral staff and students wish them luck as they carry on in their journey in entering the religious life.
