Formation Stage: Propaedeutic
Diocese: Austin
Hometown: Temple, TX
Home Parish: St. Mary’s, Temple
Thomas James Bennett
Growing up in Catholic school, I always wanted to become a priest. As I matured, my love for the faith grew stronger, especially by high school when I seriously started to discern my call to the priesthood. One Sunday morning, as I was heading into Mass while wrestling with doubts, I felt a deep sense of peace. In that moment, I knew I was called to be a priest, but I tried to run from it by going to college at Franciscan University. However, my time there confirmed my calling, and the community I found inspired me to pursue seminary.
Favorite Quote or Bible Verse
“Oh, God, to know you is life. To serve you is freedom. To praise you is the soul’s joy and delight…” – Saint Augustine
Fun Fact
I once went on an 80-mile canoeing trip in the land of ten thousand lakes.