Spotlight: Henry Yeagle, Seminarian

Hometown: Marshall, MO

Home Parish: St. Peter

Seminary: Conception Seminary College, freshman

What are your hobbies? What do you like to do for fun?

In my free time I enjoy reading. I also enjoy playing ultimate and the ever infamous wally-ball. I really like spending time with my diocesan brothers. Sometimes I play games on my computer and I really enjoy coloring and doing crosswords. I often enjoy spending time in nature.

What influenced your decision to enter seminary?

It started as a sort of whisper during my prayer. After a while people started to suggest the priesthood to me. They would say, “I could really see you becoming a priest,” or “Have you ever thought about the priesthood.” These people would continuously talk to me about the priesthood over and over again. Holy Catholics who I had barely met would also suggest the priesthood to me. This happened for months. Eventually I said, “Okay, God. I think I understand. I will go to the seminary.” And through much prayer and discernment I got to be here. My family and my parish were both very supportive of me and my discernment.

What were you doing before you entered seminary?

Prior to attending the seminary I was attending Marshall High School, a public school in my hometown. I was also working at Syngenta Seeds and the Marshall Public Library, and attending Youth Group.

What is your educational background?

High school diploma

Describe seminary life. What is a day like?

During this semester, the most typical day is Monday. I wake up at 6:00 AM (more accurately, drag myself out of bed) and then attend the Office of Readings at 6:45 AM. After the Office there is about a 40 minute meditation period in the Oratory followed by Morning Prayer. Then we have breakfast which, on Mondays, usually consists of eggs and bacon. Then at 8:30 classes start. A person usually has 2 or 3 classes in the morning. The last class ends at 11:15 AM, and there is a short break before Mass at 11:45 AM. After Mass lunch is served and then after lunch there is another short break. Most people have 1 or 2 classes in the afternoon. At 3:45 all the freshmen and sophomores have Team Sports, in which we seminarians play a sport of some sort: like soccer or dodge ball. Team Sports ends at 5:00 PM. Evening Prayer is prayed at 5:50 PM, and followed by supper. After supper a seminarian has free time and generally goes to bed between 10:00 and 11:00 PM. Grand silence starts at 10:00 PM. If this seems like a busy schedule you would be right. Tuesdays and Thursdays are much calmer, with my one class ending at 10:05 AM. Seminarians can leave campus Tuesdays for lunch, and for periods of the day during the weekend.

If possible, describe the importance of prayer. What would you say to encourage young people to pray?

• I think prayer is extremely important, not only is it a way to grow in a relationship with God. It is a great way to keep others in mind: like my family, friends, and my parish. And it also has the added effect of bringing comfort and contentment to my life.

• My advice about prayer: Pray every day. Try to bring prayer into the little spare moments of the day. Ask God to help you if you are unsure how to pray, or what to pray about. You cannot grow in a relationship with God unless you are praying frequently. Tell God everything. Don’t hide because he already knows everything about you, and he wants to hear it from your perspective.

There are several fears to overcome before one applies to seminary. Did you have any fears and how did you overcome them?

One of my main fears of coming to the seminary was that I had only been here twice before, and wasn’t really sure what all I was getting into. I really just had to jump into the situation, and it turned out greater than I could have expected. Another fear of mine was that I wasn’t holy enough, and that I would be surrounded by young saints. But I came to learn once I got here that everyone is in different points in their faith, and that everyone grows in faith at different speeds. I was also a little afraid I would forget something at home, but luckily there is a Wal-Mart not too far away.

Favorites:

• Prayer: The rosary

• Saint: St. Anthony of Padua, St. Joseph

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about the seminary?

Pray. A person cannot discern without praying. Also I would highly encourage going on an Encounter with God weekend. Not only does a person on this retreat get familiar with campus, but they also get to know a lot of seminarians. I would also advise talking to the Vocation Director Fr. Joe, who can help a lot.