Gregory Luger
Date of Birth: March 28, 1990
Home parish: Church of the Ascension
High School attended: St. Mary's Central High School Year in Seminary: College II Seminary attending: St. John Vianney Seminary
Hobbies and interests: Playing sports, following pro football, hanging out with friends, following UND men's hockey
Heroes: St. Paul, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Michael the Archangel, my parents and family, Pope Benedict XVI, Pope St. Gregory the Great
My Story
My journey to the seminary began when I started attending Catholic school in 7th grade. Often times we would watch a short video of Father Tom Richter talking about vocations instead of a normal homily. I would usually think, "God might want me to be a priest....but probably not." From there it wasn't until my senior year of high school that I really began to take the thought seriously. Many times as I began to pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament it was as if Jesus would quickly say, "Be a priest." I would then quickly insert "...or a married man, or a monk, or single man." This continued throughout my senior year. I spoke to multiple priests on the subject and they were very encouraging. During the summer following graduation I was invited by Father Richter to the annual "Get-to-Gather" near Williston. It was an amazing experience meeting the seminarians of the Bismarck Diocese. Here I told them my story and their reactions were very encouraging. At the end of my story I told them that I would go to college for one or two years and then enter the seminary. I can still hear one of the seminarians saying, "Just do it man!" When I told my friends and family that I was going to enter the seminary they were shocked but very supportive and have been ever since.
The ensuing school year I attended the University of North Dakota. Here I met some amazing Catholic friends who were very excited and encouraging about me entering the seminary. They and Father Raymond Courtright strengthened me in my faith and helped me adapt to the new things I was experiencing. Also during the school year I went to "Live-in weekends" at both Cardinal Muench Seminary and St. John Vianney Seminary to decide which seminary to attend the following year. The decision was difficult as both are great seminaries. I am at great peace with my decision to enter St. John Vianney Seminary as I believe it is God's will.
