Diocese of Des Moines seminarian Matthew Johll joins The Catholic Morning Show to reflect on his summer hospital chaplaincy at St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, New York. He shares what he learned about presence, listening, and walking with patients through suffering, and how that pastoral experience complements the intellectual formation he's receiving for the priesthood. Johll also gives listeners a glimpse inside seminary life and invites the faithful to support future priests through prayer.
From Des Moines to Dunwoodie Bo Bonner talks with Matthew Johll, a Diocese of Des Moines seminarian currently in formation at St. Joseph's Seminary and College (known as "Dunwoodie") in Yonkers, New York. This summer, Johll was selected for a hospital chaplaincy opportunity offered through the seminary's Dominican friars — a program distinct from a standard Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) track, giving seminarians a summer introduction to pastoral care, bioethics, and end-of-life ministry.
Presence Over Perfection Johll describes learning to sit with patients in silence, ask open questions, and resist the urge to have all the answers — describing the ministry as being present the way Mary and John were present at the foot of the cross. He talks candidly about what it means to be an authentic, non-cliché "ministry of presence" for people in some of their hardest moments.
Inside Seminary Formation For listeners curious about the path to priesthood, Johll outlines the normal rhythm of seminary life: philosophy and theology coursework, daily community prayer, and a progression of pastoral placements — service with the poor, catechetical teaching, chaplaincy, and finally diaconate ministry. He encourages anyone discerning a vocation to start by talking with their parish priest or vocation director.
What's Next This week, Johll is attending the All-Iowa Seminarian Convocation, hosted this year in Fort Dodge, bringing together seminarians from all four Iowa dioceses before he returns to Yonkers for the fall semester. Read more about the Diocese of Des Moines' seminarians at dmdiocese.org.
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