To Welcome Our Seminarian: Jacob Toma

Hello!
My name is Jacob Toma, and I am a seminarian studying for the Diocese of Duluth at the St. Paul Seminary.

I grew up in Side Lake, MN, which is north of Hibbing. I am the eldest (24 years old) of four children, with one brother and two sisters.

My brother Josh is (21) and just got out of the Army where he served as a sniper.  My sisters, Eleanor (15) and Coraline (10), are both deaf and blind and have other medical needs.

My Mom works part-time at the church in Hibbing, and my Dad is a deputy sheriff and a permanent deacon.

My hobbies include cooking, fishing, sailing, football, hunting, and Warhammer 40k.

I used to work as a dishwasher, cook, bartender, personal care assistant, and maintenance worker.

My favorite saints are St. Josemaria Escriva, St. John Chrysostom, St. Maximillian Kolbe, St. Maria Goretti, and Mary.

My vocation story began when I was about five. I was really into knights and shining armor. Naturally when my family went to Mass one day I saw the Knights of Columbus. THEY HAD SWORDS. This was the coolest thing ever, guys with swords in church!

My grandmother told me that I could serve God as a knight when I grew up. That idea of servitude to God is something that still resonates with me today. I went to Catholic elementary school and would dress up as a priest for career day and would play Mass in my living room.

When I went to high school I began to grow deeper in prayer and my relationship with God. This happened through spiritual direction and diocesan youth camps.

My junior year of high school I started taking classes at Hibbing Community College. I had a surplus of free time, so I would volunteer at the church. When I wasn’t moping the floors or setting up for funerals, I would have time to pray. When I did this I would feel a deep peace at the end of the day. Eventually I discerned that the Lord was calling me to enter seminary, and I have been there ever since.

I cannot wait to meet you all and have been praying for your parish. I look forward to sharing these next few months with you and hope to serve you as Christ would. Please pray for me that I will be a holy priest and always strive after the heart of Christ. Thank you, and God bless you.

In Christ our hope,

Jacob Toma