Nathaniel Austin Hoey

Formation Stage: Discipleship

Class: Discipleship I

Diocese: Tyler

Hometown: Nacogdoches, TX

Home Parish: Sacred Heart, Nacogdoches

I first felt the call to the priesthood at 15 while attending Monk Week, a weeklong vocational retreat in Gun Barrel City, TX. Shortly thereafter, my parish opened St. Boniface Catholic High School, which I attended while taking dual-credit classes at SFASU, working at a parishioner’s ranch, and frequently altar serving as the Master of Ceremonies for the parish. It was through these frequent close encounters with Christ, standing next to the priest as he said the words of consecration, that I grew in love with the Eucharist and the Church, both through prayer and study. After some discernment, some distraction, and some challenging moments in my life, I joined seminary after high school, leaving my hometown and family of 10, where I continue to rely on God for strength to speak the truth and to be a good man, and, someday, God willing, a good priest.

I am a left-handed guitarist.