The Paulists were founded in New York City in 1858 as a community of missionary priests who sought to share their Catholic faith across the nation.
To equip ourselves for dialogue with American culture, our formation is based in Washington, DC. We spend summers and a pastoral year living and working at Paulist parishes from coast-to-coast.
Scroll down to learn more about my journeys across America during my formation towards priesthood as a Paulist.
Key Locations
Paulist House of Mission and Studies
Washington, DC
Temporarily located at St. Joseph’s seminary, Paulist novices and students share common life and prayer together with Paulist priests who work in formation and other ministries.
The Paulists are constructing a new house of formation on 4th ST NE.
The Catholic University of America
Washington, DC
The Paulists study philosophy and theology here with seminarians for over 20 dioceses and religious orders.
St. Mary’s of the Lake
Lake George, NY
Since the 1870s the Paulist Fathers have gathered on Lake George in upstate NY for rest and recreation. After summer assignments, Paulist students gather here every year along other priests on vacation to share stories, reflect on their experiences, and prepare for the school year ahead.
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Washington, DC
Located a half-block from the future home of the Paulist House of Mission and Studies, Paulist seminarians are ordained deacons here at the start of their final year of studies.
Generations of Paulist seminarians have come here to pray in between their classes at CUA, which is adjacent to the Basilica.
My Formation Journey
August 21, 2013
Moved to St. Pauls College in Washington, DC for my novice year with the Paulist Fathers.
Ministries:
- Father McKenna Center
- Little Sister of the Poor Jean Jugan Residence
Winter Assignment:
February – April, 2014- St. Thomas More Newman Center, Columbus, OH
With my novice brothers after our sign-in Mass. July 26, 2014
First Promise with the Paulist Fathers
Philosophy Studies
Fall 2014-Spring 2015 at the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.
Favorite Classes:
- Intro to Christian Spirituality
- Intro to Liturgy and Sacraments
Ministry Assignment:
- Annunciation: Young Adult Ministry.
Summer Apostolate
Summer 2015, New York
St. Paul the Apostle in New York City
- preaching, young adult ministry, and service at parish soup kitchen.
1st Theology
Fall 2015-Spring 2016, Washington, D.C.
Favorite Classes at CUA
- Biomedical Ethics
- Pastoral Theology
Ministry Assignment:
- Shrine of the Sacred Heart: RCIA in Spanish.
Preparing to attend Mass with Pope Francis at CUA. 2nd Theology
Fall 2016-Spring 2017, Washington, D.C.
Favorite Classes at CUA
- Pentateuch
- Gospel of John
Ministry Assignment:
- Chaplain Intern: Holy Cross Hospital
Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)
Summer 2017, San Francisco
- Chaplain Intern for the Cardiovascular Thoracic Unit.
In residence at Old St. Mary’s
With Frs. George, Ricky, and Tom on my day off. Pastoral Year
Fall 2017-Summer 2018
Cathedral of St. Andrew & the Catholic Information Center, Grand Rapids, MI
- RCIA, Youth Ministry, and Diocesan Planning for Hispanic Ministry.
Cathedral of St. Andrew, Grand Rapids, MI 3rd Theology
Fall 2018-Spring 2019
Favorite Classes at CUA:
- American Catholic History
- Bioethics of Human Nature
Ministry Assignment:
- St. Matthias Parish: RCIA and hispanic ministry.
Summer Enrichment
Summer 2019
Retreat at Taizé Monastery, in Taizé, France.
Course on Ecumenism at the Centro Pro Unione in Rome, Italy.
Walked 120 km on the Camino to Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
Final Promise with the Paulist Fathers
September 6, 2019
I made a commitment “for life to membership and mission” with the Paulist Fathers.
With the other Paulist Fathers present after professing my lifelong promise to the community. 4th Theology
Fall 2019-Spring 2020
Favorite Classes:
- American Catholic History
- Bioethics of Human Nature
Ministry Assignment:
- St. Matthias Parish: Preaching and celebrating baptisms and funerals.
After my first baptism at St. Matthias. Priestly Ordination
July 25, 2021
St. Austin’s Parish, Austin, TX
The Paulists had planned for my ordination to be at our mother church in New York. The COVID-19 pandemic made such a gathering impossible, so I was ordained at the Paulist parish in Austin where my family and friends could easily travel by road.
Paolo Puccini, CSP 