Braden Maher

I am currently studying at Conception Seminary College in Northwest Missouri as a freshman for the Springfield Diocese. I first became aware of Conception through my vocation director, and soon after that I attended a weekend here that was intended to give potential seminarians an opportunity to see the college first hand, and to interact with the seminarians here. The weekend was greatly beneficial to me and left me very impressed. When I actually began my studies here, Conception exceeded my already high expectations. I was able to get settled very quickly, and I eagerly look forward to the ensuing months. I highly encourage anyone toying with the idea of the seminary to come out and at least take a look.

In regard to my pre-seminary days, I was baptized into the Church as an infant, and so from the beginning I was nurtured by the faith. However, that would change, when at the age of five my family's position on faith was altered, and we became detached from the Church. My "detachment" from the Church lasted until my sophomore year of high school. I transferred from the public high school in my hometown to a Catholic school in Effingham. There at St. Anthony, I was immersed into the Catholic community, and quickly developed a deep curiosity for the Catholic faith that I had never really known intimately. The spark that was ignited by this immersion was fueled by the influence of St. Anthony's priests. It was they who reintroduced me to the Sacraments and who supported me in the beginning discernment of my vocation. Thanks to the grace of our Lord, the number of priests I know, and the good people of St. Anthony, I now find myself in the seminary.