Our Seminarians
Answering God’s call to the priesthood is a profound and courageous journey. Our seminarians are men who have responded to that call with open hearts and a willingness to be shaped by Christ. Coming from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and life experiences, they have entered seminary to grow in holiness, deepen their relationship with God, and prepare to serve the Church with compassion, humility, and strength.
Formation is more than academic study—it is a time of prayer, discernment, community, and service. Each seminarian walks a unique path, but all share a common desire: to become faithful and joyful priests who can lead others to Christ. Through this page, we invite you to get to know these men, follow their journey, and join us in praying for them as they continue to grow in faith and readiness for the priesthood.
Our seminarians are a sign of hope for the future of the Church. Your encouragement and prayers make a difference—thank you for supporting them in their vocation.
alex cifuentes
Home Parish: Historic St. Paul (Lexington)
Home: Medellín, Colombia
Explain the moment you found the calling to enter the Priesthood:
My journey to the priesthood is the fruit of an accumulation of many experiences, beginning when I was a child in Colombia. I remember being inspired by the faith of my family, my involvement in Catholic schools, youth ministries, and missionary activities. I began exploring the possibility of priesthood and I began priestly formation as a teenager. I was blessed by exposure to priests and religious as a youth, and this inspired my vocation.
What helped you most in discerning your vocation?
The encouragement of my family, the support of my faith community, and the positive example of the priests and both men and women religious.
Can you share a bit about your journey so far in seminary?
I’m grateful for my seminary years, and I feel blessed to have been exposed to formation communities in Colombia, Mexico, and the United States. The cultural diversity and exposure to theology and pastoral formation in different stages of my life, as well as in different cultural contexts, has helped me to appreciate the richness and universality of the Catholic Faith and Tradition, and the importance of the Church’s missionary activity and the life of charity in Christian communities. I have enjoyed especially the intellectual and pastoral dimensions of priestly formation, as I have found that my intellectual interests have nurtured my spiritual life and motivated the desire to be of service to others in the Church. I have benefited from the support of wise mentors and professors during my seminary years.
What advice would you give to someone discerning their vocation?
I would advise taking time to pray and reflect on vocational discernment with family members, friends, and with your pastor or other trusted spiritual guide. I would encourage young people to remember that discernment is a process and it is important to trust in God and take your time. God asks for trust, not certainty. Let God speak through the process as you grow in prayer and service. It is important to build structures of support and talk with friends who can help you to reflect on your gifts, your noble desires, and your practical needs and limitations. Get to know your parish community, expose yourself to a range of ministries and ideologies, and familiarize yourself with the needs of the diocese or religious community you would like to serve.
Who’s your favorite saint?
My favorite saint is St. Vincent de Paul. A significant part of my religious formation as a teenager was getting to know the Vincentians, missionaries founded by St. Vincent de Paul. Their presence in my town as I was growing up had a significant impact on me. I appreciate St. Vincent’s spirituality of concern for the poor and suffering.
What’s your favorite scripture reading?
Colossians 1:9b-11
“May you attain full knowledge of God’s will through perfect wisdom and spiritual insight. Then you will lead a life worthy of the Lord and pleasing to him in every way. You will multiply good works of every sort and grow in the knowledge of God. By the might of his glory you will be endowed with the strength needed to stand fast, even to endure joyfully whatever may come.”
This text speaks to my life-long pursuit of learning and prayer for wisdom and insight which, by God’s grace, I hope will inform my priestly ministry. It speaks to the life-long process of discernment of God’s will and my desire to know the Lord.
Interests / Hobbies
I enjoy exercise, swimming, playing chess, reading, music, I like watching historical films and documentaries, and I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I enjoy studying; fields of interest include the intersection of spirituality and psychology.
Fun fact about you
I was a teacher for several years, and I enjoyed teaching English, Spanish, and World History.
matt smyser
Home Parish: Christ the King
Home: Lexington, KY
Explain the moment you found the calling to enter the Priesthood:
I was about twenty-two. I was asked by the youth minister I was working with to go to a vocations dinner at the Cathedral to accompany a couple high schoolers I had developed a rapport with. When I was there, someone asked me if I had ever thought about what God wanted me to do with my life. I had not, and the realization caused me to do so ASAP. I went into the adoration chapel right after the dinner was over and asked God for a sign. Bad idea. The next nine months or so would prove to be some of the more stressful of my life, but the combination of that stress and my newfound concern for the will of God led me to develop something resembling an authentic prayer life. It was in the midst of that prayer that I found myself praying with Luke 5:8, where Peter says “Depart from me Lord, for I am a sinful man.” Jesus didn’t even acknowledge Peter’s excuses that moment, he just asked him to follow him. I figured that if Jesus could put up with Peter’s nonsense he could probably put up with mine. A few weeks later I began applying to be a seminarian.
What helped you most in discerning your vocation?
Encounters with the people of God. There have been plenty of moments when I’ve been less than certain I’m cut out for ministry, but inevitably those are the days someone will tell me that I’ll make a good priest, or someone will tell me about how I helped them and I didn’t even know it. God shows us who we are called to be through others, so as long as the people of God have still seemed to want me, I’ve stayed the course in seminary formation.
Can you share a bit about your journey so far in seminary?
It’s been a rocky one but a good one. I started in 2019, which means the Covid-19 pandemic hit my first year. Since I’ve been in seminary, I’ve lost a grandfather, a mentor, and a dog. I’ve seen friends come and go and lived through some of the most challenging moments of my life. But I wouldn’t trade a minute of it. In a very real way, every challenge I’ve faced in seminary has prepared me for the next step. I truly feel as though I am a different sort of man now than I was when I entered. Along the way, I’ve been privileged to journey with all sorts of folks in their own times of trial, and I’ve found that God has used my own experiences and struggles to help me understand others. If I’ve learned anything in my formation, it is that God can work good out of anything.
What advice would you give to someone discerning their vocation?
Fall in love. If you’re discerning marriage, it seems rather instinctual that love is a prerequisite to matrimony. It’s no different if you’re discerning the diocesan priesthood or religious life. If you think you might want to join a religious order, you must fall in love with the community and the charism. If you feel called to the life of a diocesan priest, fall in love with the diocese. There’s no such thing as a private vocation. God’s asking you to love and serve others in your own unique way. The sooner love comes, the clearer the path forward.
Who’s your favorite saint?
Pope St. John Paul II
What’s your favorite scripture reading?
John 21
Interests / Hobbies
I tend to collect hobbies like a crow collects shiny things. Illustration, painting, printmaking, digital art, woodworking, metal working, leather working, book binding, stonework, fishing, and learning just about anything. I also enjoy reading fantasy novels, English literature, and I poorly attempt to play several instruments. If it’s not on the list, give it time and I’m sure I’ll get into it one day.
Fun fact about you
I was a three-time state champion in video game design in High School
cj guibo
Home Parish: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (Lexington)
Home: Philippines
Explain the moment you found the calling to enter the Priesthood:
It happened during Mass while I was serving at the altar, standing just a few steps from the priest. As I watched him celebrate the Eucharist, something stirred in me, not just admiration, but a quiet realization that I could see myself doing this for the rest of my life.
What helped you most in discerning your vocation?
What helped me most in my discernment is the love and support of my grandma. Her encouragement and prayers helped me a lot on my discernment to pursue God’s vocation for me to priesthood.
Can you share a bit about your journey so far in seminary?
This will be my first year in Theology and I’m really excited and hopeful about it.
What advice would you give to someone discerning their vocation?
My former Archbishop wrote in my breviary “Learn how to listen and discern God’s will, only his will can give us joy and peace.”
Who’s your favorite saint?
St. Therese of Lisieux
What’s your favorite scripture reading?
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. – Matthew 13:44
Interests / Hobbies
I love doing basketball, volleyball, table tennis and love watching sci-fi movies
Fun fact about you
I’ve worn a cassock/alb in more places than I’ve worn a suit.
diego acosta
Home Parish: St. Leo (Versailles)
Home: Torreón, Coahuila Mexico
Explain the moment you found the calling to enter the Priesthood:
I was listening a missionary nun and she said she didn’t want to keep the love of God just for her but wanted to share it with everybody. So, I wanted to do the same.
What helped you most in discerning your vocation?
Prayer and meetings with the vocational director and spiritual director.
Can you share a bit about your journey so far in seminary?
I have been in formation since 2015. I started in Mexico with a religious community that has as principal charism to evangelize those on the periferias. I came to the states in 2020 just to learn English. Then, in 2023, I joined the dioceses of Lexington.
What advice would you give to someone discerning their vocation?
Pay attention to everyone and everything around you because God talks and many and different ways.
Who’s your favorite saint?
Mother Teresa of Calcuta
What’s your favorite scripture reading?
Be merciful as your father is merciful
Interests / Hobbies
Movies, gym, volleyball, play the guitar, dance, sing, read a good book with a cup of coffee.
Fun fact about you
I was praying to the holy sacrament at St Leo in Versailles and I saw in the host the image of Jesus in the crucifix extending his hand to me.
mike allen
Pastoral Provision
Home: Lexington, KY
Explain the moment you found the calling to enter the Priesthood:
Around 2008
What helped you most in discerning your vocation?
Experience in ministry
Can you share a bit about your journey so far in seminary?
My journey is not a traditional one. When I applied for the Pastoral Provision to the Priesthood, I was asked to provide transcripts of my seminary formation for United Methodist ministry. The Church considered those aspects of my prior formation (I have Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Asbury Seminary) but also ascertained the theological “gaps” that would need to addressed. I have been asked to focus on six subject areas over three semesters at St. Meinrad–Scripture, Church history, canon law, moral theology, liturgical theology, and dogmatic theology. I am assigned readings in two areas per semester, and then asked to meet monthly (in-person or via Zoom) with a professor. Last semester was Scripture and Church history, and this fall will be moral theology and canon law.
I am also assigned mentor priests within the diocese for the other pillars of formation. For pastoral formation, I meet monthly with Fr. Tom Farrell (St. Mark in Richmond). For human formation, I meet with Fr. Anthony McLaughlin (Holy Spirit in Lexington). For spiritual formation, I meet montly with Fr. Paul Prabell (retired). And for spiritual direction, I meet monthly with Fr. Steve Roberts (St. Lawrence in Lawrenceburg).
What advice would you give to someone discerning their vocation?
Seek guidance from people who respect, and particuarly spiritual direction. And get involved in ministry to discover your gifts more readily.
Who’s your favorite saint?
Blessed Franz Jagerstatter of Austria
What’s your favorite scripture reading?
Genesis is my favorite biblical book. It is foundational, dramatic, and gritty yet hopeful.
Interests / Hobbies
Listening and playing music, cooking occasionally, and I am a slightly obsessive sports fan.
Fun fact about you
I used to be a United Methodist pastor, but my undergraduate degree is in Electrical Engineering (though I never worked in it). And Angie and I have five grandchildren and two on the way!
Carl Ramos
Home Parish: St. Leo’s (Versailles)
Home: Philippines
Explain the moment you found the calling to enter the Priesthood:
By the simple prayer our Archbishop in our Archdiocese
What helped you most in discerning your vocation?
Our Parish Priest and my Family
Can you share a bit about your journey so far in seminary?
I entered the seminary in the year 2016 in the Philippines when I was 11th grader. For this year, I’ll pursuing my seminary formation as 1st year configuration student.
What advice would you give to someone discerning their vocation?
Don’t be afraid of your weaknesses, it’s not about you but Him who called you.
Who’s your favorite saint?
St. Francis of Assisi
What’s your favorite scripture reading?
Jn. 2:5 Do whatever He tells you.
Interests / Hobbies
Cooking, walking, playing volleyball, reading, nature trip, netflix.
Fun fact about you
I love cats and dogs.
Didier Ngangani Buwani
Home Parish: St. Peter Claver
Home: Kinshasa/ D R Congo
Explain the moment you found the calling to enter the Priesthood:
Regarding my vocation, I felt God’s call since I was a child. My mother was a catechist, I was going to mass with my mother and I remember that every time I was telling my mother that I would be like that man, I was pointing my finger at the celebrant (priest). I grew up with this idea in my mind until I met the priest who helped me discern my vocation.
What helped you most in discerning your vocation?
For me, to discern one’s vocation well, one must be a man of prayer (daily Mass and the rosary), and one must also have a spiritual director who helps one discern one’s vocation. In the Bible we have the example of Samuel who did not know how to discern God’s call, but it was possible through Eli’s intervention that he was able to discern God’s call. That is why each of us needs spiritual guidance.
Can you share a bit about your journey so far in seminary?
My story is very long, but in short, I can tell you that I started with the Comboni Missionaries, where I did my philosophy studies and the novitiate, then I left and went to the Catholic University of the Congo, then to the University of South Africa (Pretoria-Johannesburg) where I did my theological studies. By the grace of God, I found myself in the United States at the Diocese of Lexington. For the moment, I am at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology (Milwaukee/Wisconsin), an institute that trains priests, I am following a special program based on four aspects: intellectual, spiritual, human and pastoral formation. These aspects are necessary for the formation of a priest. Therefore, for me, the seminary is a period of grace and prayer where the candidate must experience maturity before taking on the great responsibility “the priesthood”.
What advice would you give to someone discerning their vocation?
Vocation is a call from God. You must pray a lot and ask the Spirit of God to guide you. You must be open to God’s call. You must also have a spiritual guide who will help you discern this call from God.
Who’s your favorite saint?
Saint Padre Pio
What’s your favorite scripture reading?
Gospel of St. John
Interests / Hobbies
Sports
Fun fact about you
Not yet, but I will win one day.
maynard reinhardt
Home: Owingsville, KY
Explain the moment you found the calling to enter the Priesthood:
Praying during Adoration
What helped you most in discerning your vocation?
Prayer and reading the saints.
Can you share a bit about your journey so far in seminary?
I haven’t started seminary yet.
What advice would you give to someone discerning their vocation?
Trust in Divine Providence.
Who’s your favorite saint?
Saint Thomas Aquinas
What’s your favorite scripture reading?
John 1
Interests / Hobbies
Reading, exercise, fishing
Fun fact about you
I am a convert from atheism
arnaud shyaka
Home: Rwanda
Explain the moment you found the calling to enter the Priesthood:
One night, I heard a thought- not voice- that I perceived as a calling to the priesthood. It was a bitter sweet night, though. I was not happy nor excited because I did not want it at the moment. However, the deeper I learned and thought about priesthood, I became more attracted to the work of a priest- and thus, I applied to be a seminarian for the diocese of Lexington.
What helped you most in discerning your vocation?
Probably the book ‘To Save A Thousand Souls’ by Fr. Brett Brennan and going deeper into the spiritual life.
What advice would you give to someone discerning their vocation?
I would say focus on growing deeper in your faith- because it is this through knowing God and yourself better that will help you more accurately discern God’s voice and will for your life. And also, be patient with yourself. It’s hard to live in the not knowing, but it’s not forever.
Who’s your favorite saint?
St Anthony the Great
What’s your favorite scripture reading?
Heb 12:1-4
Interests / Hobbies
Movies
Fun fact about you
I hiked Virunga mountains in Rwanda and was able to take a picture 7 feet from a silverback gorilla.