Jakob Flores

Formation Stage

Propaedeutic Year

Home Parish

Christ Cathedral, Garden Grove

Seminary

Bishop White Seminary

Favorite Saint(s)

Maximilian Kolbe

Favorite Marian Apparition(s)

Our Lady of Sorrows

Favorite Book or Movie

The Magician's Nephew by CS Lewis. The Introduction to the Devout Life by St Francis de Sales. My favorite movies are James Cameron Avatar, Fatima, and Cabrini

Favorite Hobby

Reading, playing guitar, cooking, watching TV, and playing sports with my siblings

Background

What are some of the factors that led to your decision to enter the seminary and discern the question of a vocation to the priesthood?

Growing in the Neocatechumenal Way, the priesthood was always encouraged but I didn't think it was for me. As I grew up, I began school at Servite and Confirmation Classes which helped push my desire to want to learn more about the Church and serve in the Church. This service and knowledge led me to wanting to go deeper and fully lay myself down to the service of God's people.

Who are some of the people who influenced your decision to enter the seminary? What is it about them that assisted you?

My parents helped me because they always told my siblings and I to follow God's will and to do everything for Him. This helped me to look to the priesthood and not just overfocus on dating and getting married. My grandpa also would always introduce me to priest when I was a little kid and he would ask them to pray for me because I wanted to be a priest. He was always praying for my vocation and he always asked others to do the same for me.

Describe the moment that you knew you wanted to take the next steps to become a priest?

I was on a pligrimage to Portugal for World Youth Day and Pope Francis had echoed the words of St. Pope JPII saying "Do not be afraid. Open, I say open wide the doors for Christ" This helped me to see that I should not be afraid to follow God. The following summer I went to the Summer Vocation Series at the Cathedral and later I began meeting with Fr Cheeyoon.