RYAN PEARCE BOTH

Class: Discipleship IV

Diocese: Austin

Hometown: Waco, TX

Home Parish: St. Peter Catholic Student Center, Waco

I was born and raised in a Baptist home near Seattle, WA. Near the end of high school, I felt a stirring in my heart to become a pastor, but I pushed that aside in hopes of studying political science and eventually becoming a lawyer. These hopes took me to Baylor University, where I encountered the writings of St. Augustine in a Great Texts class. I was captivated by his reflections on grief, repentance, beauty, love, and hope, and I began to explore the Catholic Faith. As I began attending Mass and adoration, Christ invited me into a deeper communion with him and with his Church. I was received into the Church in September of 2020. During a powerful experience with Christ in the Eucharist at Mass, I felt a desire and a calling to carry Christ to others, so I began intentionally discerning a vocation to the priesthood. Please pray that I would trust in his providence as he directs my steps in my continued formation.

I like to write Byzantine icons!