BOYNTON BEACH, Fla.—Daniel Perry is a second year seminarian at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach. His home parish is St. Paul the Apostle in Spartanburg.
Who is a person you admire and why?
I admire my father because it is through his humble pursuit of holiness that I derive my desire to follow the will of Our Lord.
How did you discern the direction of your vocation?
My discernment started in my senior year of high school, when I began leaving school with a friend to go and pray before the Blessed Sacrament. That seed planted a great desire to spend intimate time with Jesus in adoration, thus leading me to discern in seminary whether it is God’s will for me to be His priest.
What are your skills and talents that you bring to your vocation?
I believe that the Lord has blessed me with a hardworking and patient temperament to be used in the way He sees most fit.
What is a typical day for you during seminary studies?
On a normal day: In the mornings, I wake up early to do a Holy Hour before Mass, have breakfast, and then go to class. Once class is finished, I either go to the gym or go to the beach. In the evenings after Evening Prayer and dinner, I spend time studying or with my brothers.
Of the places where you have travelled, which is your favorite and why?
I love the outdoors, so my favorite travel destination has been Colorado; the hiking out there is incredible.
When you were around 10 or 11 years old, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was 10, I wanted to be a professional soccer player.
What do you want people to remember you for?
I just want to be remembered as a guy who strove, with constancy, for holiness and the holiness of others.
Name three words that describe you.
Hard-working, melancholic, compassionate.
What is a pet peeve of yours?
A pet peeve of mine is leftover toothpaste in the sink.
What publications do you regularly read?
I enjoy reading New Liturgical Movement, Father Z’s Blog, and Culture Wars.
What is the pastime that you are happiest doing?
I really enjoy going biking or playing soccer as a pastime.
What are some causes that you care about?
I care deeply for teenage mothers, single mothers, and the end to abortion.
What would you say would be your personal motto?
“Loquere, Domine, quia audit servus tuus.” “Speak, O Lord, for your servant is listening.”
The Serra Club of Charleston is working with The Catholic Miscellany to provide a series of profiles on the Diocese of Charleston’s seminarians. They are a member of the USA branch of Serra International with the goal of nurturing vocations. Email Debra Dinolfo at debdinolfo@gmail.com.
