David O’Brien, from St. Peter Parish in West Brandywine, Chester County, is a third year college seminarian at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. A typical day for David includes prayer, college-level classes and recreation with fellow seminarians. On Thursdays, as part of his one-day-a-week apostolic formation, he can be found at one of the area’s Catholic high schools speaking about his discernment of his vocation.
When considering which college to attend David did not feel a good fit for him. He prayed on the decision and heard God’s call. In 2010 he entered the seminary right out of high school with two of his fellow classmates from Bishop Shanahan High School in Downingtown. One of seven children, David misses being with his family every day but feels the best part of the seminary is the fellowship with the other seminarians.
To young men considering entering the seminary David advises, “pray, even when it does not seem necessary. Be thankful and be open to your calling and most importantly, do not be afraid to follow Christ.”
Sister Kimberly Miller, I.H.M., has been teaching at Little Flower High School for eight years. She is from St. William Parish in Northeast Philadelphia. In 1998 Sister Kim, as she is known, entered the order of the Sister, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary based at Immaculata University. Not only is she one of the favorite teachers of the young ladies at Little Flower but she is also involved with the them as a moderator for dances and other activities. (Photos and text by Sarah Webb)
The massive St. Martin’s Chapel at the seminary hosts daily Mass and prayer liturgies for the seminarians.
Seminarians process into Immaculate Conception Chapel at the seminary for the start of a liturgy.
David O’Brien, far left, plays for St. Charles’s soccer team, which came in second place in this year’s Rector Cup, a soccer competition among Catholic seminaries in the Mid-Atlantic United States region.
Sister Kimberly Miller, I.H.M., (far right) enjoys the Men of Marian Festival with other sisters in the I.H.M. order, Sister Melissa Mastrangelo and Sister Sarah Ellen McGuire.
Sister Kimberly Miller, I.H.M., enjoys time with other sisters of her order.
Classmates from Bishop Shanahan High School (from left) Alessandro Giardini, Matthew Robinson and David O’Brien all entered St. Charles Seminary right out of high school.
Seminarians process into St. Martin’s Chapel at the start of Mass on a typical day at St. Charles Seminary.
Prayer begins and ends the day for seminarian David O’Brien.
Seminarians prepare to process into Immaculate Conception Chapel at St. Charles Seminary.
Seminarians pray during Mass celebrated daily in St. Martin’s Chapel at St. Charles Seminary.
David O’Brien walks the grounds at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood.
Classes are a large part of a typical day for seminarian David O’Brien.
On Thursdays David O’Brien can be found with fellow classmate Marco Casanova speaking about their vocation with high school students across the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Seminarian David O’Brien speaks to young men at Devon Preparatory School as part of his Thursday apostolate assignment at St. Charles Seminary.
Sister Kim teaches religion to sophomores and juniors at Little Flower High School in Philadelphia.
Sister Kimberly Miller, I.H.M., is a popular teacher with the young ladies at Little Flower High School.
In the library at Little Flower High School Sister Kim suggests a book to Nadirah Wilson that she may enjoy reading.
During sixth period Sister Kim helps freshman Lidisi Rodriguez and Nadirah Wilson.
Sister Kimberly Miller, I.H.M., prays in the chapel at Little Flower High School where she is a teacher.
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