For many, religion and faith are something exclusively practiced in masses or retreats, but for NDA 2021 alum Mathew Schumacher, faith has become a lifelong calling. 

Schumacher felt God calling him to the priesthood during a silent retreat senior year. 

 “One night, I went to confession,” said Schumacher,” and then was praying in adoration when God seemed to gently put three words on my heart: ‘Come, follow me.’”

He also described feeling a special sense of peace and a strong desire to join the holy life after hearing these words. 

However,  Schumacher remained unsure about the decision since he hoped to be a husband and have a family of his own. 

“I knew that priests don’t get married, and I wondered if I could really live life without a biological family,” he explained. 

Burying these feelings, Schumacher spent a year at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, where he studied mechanical engineering. 

“I was looking at work in the aerospace field because I really enjoy math and science. Shout out to Mr. Guyette for helping me see the importance of math,” he said. 

During his time at UMD, he became involved with the Newman Center, which is a Catholic community on campus,  and became very close to religious people. 

After much reflection on his life, Schumacher decided to join a seminary to become a layman, a non-ordained member of the church. 

“I told God about all my desires and frustrations, and He seemed to gently remind me that He created, and He knows me better than I know myself.  He loves me, and He wants what’s best for me,” he explained. 

This helped him say “yes” to the holy life, and he is very excited to serve God as a priest in the future.

Schumacher currently attends a seminary connected to the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota, and the university’s Catholic Studies program offers the opportunity to spend a semester in Rome. 

He immediately jumped on the opportunity and spent a semester there. 

“My biggest lesson learned in Rome is that the Catholic Church is our home,” he said. 

Schumacher explained that despite being 4700 miles away from Green Bay, he felt spiritually at home. 

Despite having a language barrier and exploring a foreign country alone, he saw how many people shared the same love for Christ. 

“We are all united in our love for God and in our shared faith,” he said. 

During his time in Rome, he had the opportunity to meet Pope Leo. 

“Oftentimes, we can read news articles or hear reports about the Pope, but when we met him, we saw the man behind the headlines. Eleven of us seminarians got to shake his hand, and he looked at each of us with an authentic fatherly love. It was evident in his eyes that he is in love with God and is willing to lay down his life in service to God and His people,” Schumacher explained. 

Looking into the future, he is enrolled in a program where he will spend the next 4-5 years in Rome. 

Unfortunately, Schumacher will be unable to come back to Green Bay during the seminary, but he believes it is a sacrifice well worth making. 

As for his family and friends, they are allowed to visit him in Rome. 

For anyone curious about becoming a priest or a religious sister, he encourages them to take a step into it and see what happens. 

“The step could mean talking to a priest or religious sister, going on a retreat or visiting a convent or seminary. If God does not want you to become a priest or a religious sister, He will let you know,” he said. 

Schumacher also wishes blessings to all the NDA community and hopes students have a good end of semester.