Matthew Schnitzler
I grew up in Calgary, Alberta, as the oldest of two boys. My younger brother, James, is also a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.
I first felt a call to the priesthood when I was about six or seven years old. Growing up attending Sunday Mass with my family, I was deeply inspired by my parish priest. I admired his role in leading prayer and serving the community, and I wanted to follow a similar path as an altar server and active member of parish life. That early sense of calling remained with me as I grew older, though it continued to develop over time.
During my junior high and high school years,
I became increasingly aware of my desire to serve others and be a positive presence in people’s lives, while continuing to grow in my Catholic faith. Although I still felt the call at the time of graduating high school, I did not yet feel ready to enter seminary. Instead, I pursued studies at St. Mary’s University in Calgary, completing an undergraduate degree in English Literature, with plans to become a teacher.
However, in my final year of university, I began to seriously revisit the call to priesthood that I had set aside. In February 2017, I attended a “Come and See” weekend in Edmonton, which gave me a clearer understanding of seminary life and helped me reflect more deeply on my vocation. After continued prayer and discernment, I applied to seminary and entered St. Joseph’s Seminary in Edmonton in the fall of 2017.
I spent four years in formation there before taking a year away in 2021–22 for further discernment. Following that time, I continued to feel called to the priesthood and applied to the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, where I now continue my formation at St. Mary’s Seminary.
The past months have been a time of active discernment and transition as I continue seeking God’s will for my life, both in the priesthood and in where I am called to serve. I am grateful for God’s providence throughout my journey and am excited to begin this new chapter at All Saints Parish, looking forward to serving and growing with the community.
