Archbishop Sample Hosts Annual Advent Gathering for Seminarians

Each December, after completing our semesters at our respective seminaries, we archdiocesan seminarians gather for an evening of prayer, fraternity, and conversation at a dinner hosted by Archbishop Sample and the Office of Vocations. This annual gathering offers a welcome pause at the close of an academically demanding term and provides a meaningful opportunity for us to reconnect, especially with brothers studying at different seminaries.

This year, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Northwest Portland, the oldest parish in the city, hosted the gathering. The evening began with the praying of Vespers, led by Archbishop Sample, in the parish’s newly renovated church. As we entered, many of us took note of the progress of the interior renovation, which is nearing completion and includes the restoration of the altars and sacred paintings, along with freshly painted walls, refinished pews and floors, new side altars, and other thoughtful updates that enhance the beauty and reverence of the sacred space. Following Vespers, Fr. Timothy Furlow, pastor of St. Patrick’s, briefly shared the vision behind the renovation work and offered insight into the parish’s ongoing life and renewal.
After prayer, we gathered in the parish hall for a social hour. Men on pastoral year, as well as seminarians studying at Mount Angel Seminary, St. Patrick’s Seminary, and Bishop White Seminary, were present. Those studying at the Pontifical North American College in Rome were unable to attend due to differences in their academic calendar. The room quickly filled with warmth and laughter as we shared stories from the past months of formation, recounting moments of joy, challenge, and grace. Dinner followed, allowing for continued conversation and connection.

As a seminarian currently studying at St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, California, returning home to Oregon is always a gift. It is an even greater blessing to gather with Archbishop Sample, Fr. Peter Julia, and my brother seminarians. This semester was particularly significant for me, marked by two important milestones in my discernment: receiving candidacy for holy orders and being instituted into the ministry of lector. Being surrounded by our spiritual father and by brothers with whom I hope one day to serve the Church in western Oregon was a powerful reminder of the essential role fraternity plays in formation. We are created for communion, and moments of shared fraternity allow us to witness the work of grace in one another’s lives, as iron sharpens iron.

The highlight of the evening is always Archbishop Sample’s reflection on priestly formation and discernment. His words consistently reaffirm our identity as beloved sons of the Father and invite us to recognize the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit throughout western Oregon. Many of us leave the open discussion renewed in hope and zeal for service.

Ultimately, as men in formation, we are first sons of the Father and, by grace, brothers to one another. Gatherings such as the Archbishop’s Annual Advent Dinner remind us that we do not walk alone. We are sustained by one another, guided by a faithful shepherd, and upheld by a people who support us through their prayers. As we conclude this Jubilee Year of Hope, the evening served as a clear reminder that hope does not disappoint when our lives are rooted in communion.

(Seminarian Ramon Camacho (far left) is instituted into the ministry of lector, October 23, 2025.)