Diocese of Austin

Class: Sophomore

Diocese: Austin

Hometown: Round Rock, TX

Home Parish: St. Mary Cathedral, Austin

JACK RYAN GRAVES

In college my friend group decided to start a Bible study to find truth and fight sin. Eventually we decided to try to disprove Catholicism. All four of us converted to the Catholic faith eight months later, in February 2020, and were received into the Church that following May. The following September I began discerning the priesthood after meditating on the crucifixion, specifically the nails, and experiencing conviction over never truly discerning. Three months later I applied to seminary.

Favorite Quote or Bible Verse

“O Lord, my heart is not lifted up, my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me.
But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a child quieted at its mother’s breast; like a child that is quieted is my soul.
O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and for evermore.” – Psalm 131:1-3

Fun Fact

I was a childhood speed skating prodigy.