Our Seminarians

Mark Horn

Home Parish: Sacred Heart Parish; Burke, SD

 

What is your favorite book? True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin

 

What is your favorite movie? Rocky IV

 

What is your favorite band? George Strait (more than a band)

 

What do you do for fun? Football, basketball, enjoy nature, hang out, pull pranks...really just about anything.

 

Who is your favorite Saint? Currently, it's St. Augustine

 

What high school did you attend? Burke High School

 

What year did you enter the seminary? 2008

 

What did you do prior to seminary entrance?

I attended SDSU for two years, majoring in Civil Engineering.

 

What influenced your decision to enter the seminary?

A lot of things! But at the core of them all, was God's patient, persistent, and loving prodding in my heart to seek Him, to know Him, and love Him. This real hunger led me to fall radically in love with Him and His Church, and growing in a life of speaking and listening to Him in prayer, I simply followed where He led me.

 

Who did you talk to about your calling?

At first I talked to Fr. Christensen, as a friend suggested him to me. Later at college, the Newman Center chaplain, Fr. Paul Rutten, continued to be someone I could confide in, as well as some great friends at college who held me accountable to obeying God's voice in my heart.

 

Why are you pursuing the possibility of a vocation to the priesthood?

Quite simply, God asked me to abandon myself to His will. Through the formation and prayer I've been blessed with at the seminary, I have been confirmed in my heart's desire to follow that call to priesthood. Without God's personal invitation though, I would never have even considered it!

 

What did your family and friends think about your decision to enter the seminary?

For the most part, they were all supportive. I think it came as kind of a surprise for many of them; but I also think that some of them already knew I had a vocation to the priesthood before I did!

 

How familiar were you with seminary before applying?

I knew practically nothing, with the exception of what I had heard from seminarians I had met over the years.

 

What do you like about the seminary the most?

Definitely the spiritual formation, and personal intimacy with Our Lord in prayer! Nothing else in seminary life makes a bit of sense to me without that central Relationship.

 

What advice would you give to a young man thinking about the seminary?

I would say to be as radically open, honest, and fearless with God as possible. Wherever you are personally at in your relationship with Him, honestly acknowledge that to yourself and Him, and be not afraid to ask Him that 'scary' question with your whole heart: "God, what do you want me to do with my life?" You should certainly talk to your parish priest, or one you know and trust, about it; and alongside your personal prayer life with Our Lord and the saints, share your questions and concerns with that priest, as he will be able to help guide and direct you to where God is calling you.