Three men enter seminary at the Pontifical College Josephinum

Mark Jewett, Aaron Schaefer, and Zachary Utt bypassed traditional college paths after high school graduation to enter seminary at the Pontifical College Josephinum in north Columbus, aligning their early adult years with the Diocese of Columbus celebrating Vocations Awareness Week Nov. 1-8.

Different Backgrounds Converge at the Josephinum in North Columbus

The three young men arrived at seminary from distinct educational upbringings. Jewett and Utt both attended Catholic school, while Schaefer was homeschooled as the oldest of ten children. Despite these varied backgrounds, their paths intersected at the Pontifical College Josephinum, where they joined the seminary program.

Utt graduated from Columbus St. Charles Preparatory School in the spring before entering the propaedeutic stage. This initial phase focuses primarily on prayer and general courses without heavy academic specialization. His discernment began as early as the eighth grade after watching an online video of a young priest.

Jewett graduated from Newark Catholic in 2023 and entered seminary after establishing a consistent prayer routine that began with the rosary during his freshman year. A visit to the Josephinum during his senior year confirmed his direction. Schaefer’s path started even earlier, tracing back to his First Communion and early interactions with his pastor. He attended a “Quo Vadis” discernment retreat at the Josephinum before high school, maintained a disciplined prayer life throughout his secondary education, and entered the seminary in 2023.

Academic Stages and Daily Life at the Seminary

The seminarians experience distinct phases of formation during their time at the Josephinum. Jewett and Schaefer are currently in the discipleship stage, which incorporates philosophy studies and vocational discernment. Schaefer is on track to graduate with a bachelor of arts in philosophy in the spring before pursuing a master’s in theology. Utt remains in the introductory propaedeutic stage.

Daily life inside the institution follows a structured rhythm. A typical day combines formal classes with communal prayer, daily Mass, a daily Holy Hour, and the Liturgy of the Hours. Seminarians also carve out time for study and sports.

“It’s a great brotherhood we have of guys who are seeking holiness together, guys who are working hard. The classes aren’t always easy, but it is a great joy to go through it together,” Jewett said.

Contrasting Traditional Collegiate Paths with Seminary Formation

While traditional college students navigate secular campus environments and large lecture halls, seminary students operate within a tightly knit residential and spiritual community. St. Lawrence Seminary High School, a boarding institution located in Mt. Calvary, Wisconsin, notes that such environments emphasize small class sizes, structured faculty mentorship, and moral character formation st.lawrence.edu.

According to st.lawrence.edu, residential faith-based education utilizes peer fraternities and structured living arrangements to foster lifelong bonds among students. This contrasts with the broader, more independent social landscape experienced by typical university undergraduates. Seminary routines prioritize spiritual direction.

“If you don’t feel worthy, you’re kind of coming in ahead of the game, at least from where I was. God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called,” Utt said.