Our Seminarians

Daniel O. Kingsley

Home Parish: St. Vincent Ferrer, Flatbush
Seminary: Cathedral Seminary Residence, Douglaston

Several of my elementary school classmates would often joke that I should be priest. One of my teachers, I recall, told me that she imagined me in Roman collar later in life. What put me on this path was when the pastoral associate of the parish suggested that I consider Cathedral Preparatory Seminary. I would say that the rest was history, but if there weren't people who pointed the way for me, I really don't know where I would be right now.

A great deal of: prayer, reflection, and discussion, has helped me in discerning God's call to priesthood. I have had the benefit of encountering many, many good people, clergy, religious, ordinary people from my home parish, who were--and still are--supportive of my decision to answer God’s call.

A seminarian's life has its joys and trials, as with any other life. However, what aids him is his relationship with God. I know that daily Mass, and frequent prayer have been helpful to my own vocation, as the two sustain me on my good days, and my bad days. In addition, this life is not lived alone, as you would have your brother seminarians to point you in the right way, whether it is with school work, spirituality, or just everyday living.

I would tell a prospective seminarian that he is to give serious thought, and prayer to the vocation he feels God has given him. The journey will not be easy as there will be those who doubt the sincerity and worthiness of his intentions. There is a saying in the seminary that I heard from one of the older men, "God does not call the qualified, but qualifies the called." With that in mind, press on regardless of the naysayers, reach out to others who are thinking about vocations, reach out to your parish priest; reach out to the vocations director. A call from God is something to be taken seriously.

My formation experience began in 2003, when I entered the high school level formation program at Cathedral Preparatory Seminary in Elmhurst. After four years there, I decided to apply to the college seminary at Cathedral Seminary Residence of the Immaculate Conception in Douglaston. Honest prayer, and self-reflection, as well as reception of the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist and Reconciliation; has helped to guide me during this time of discernment.

I feel that God is calling me to serve the Church in Brooklyn and Queens. I want to be a parish priest to all the people of this great diocese. The Diocese of Brooklyn is quite unique, not only because it covers an all urban setting, but the diversity of people, language, and culture, that can be found at any parish on any given Sunday. As a seminarian, I have had the opportunity to attend Mass in Spanish, hear the Rosary recited in Polish, and attempt to sing Italian hymns.