From: Huntersville, N.C.
Age: 23
Home parish: St. Mark, Huntersville
Status: Started Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Cincinnati, August 2022
Favorite verse or teaching: The explanation of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, as affirmed by Pope Pius IX in his 1854 encyclical “Ineffabilis Deus” (“Ineffable God”)
Favorite saints: St. Joseph and St. Thomas Aquinas
CHARLOTTE — Instead of throwing Hail Marys on the football field, seminarian Bradley Loftin opted for another path in life – offering prayers instead of passes – when he entered St. Joseph College Seminary in 2018.
Loftin, 23, attended St. Mark School and Christ the King High School in Huntersville, where he enjoyed playing both basketball and football.
“I really wanted to go play college football, but instead of pursuing that, I decided to pursue the priesthood,” Loftin says. He credits his high school chaplain at the time, Father Paul McNulty, and his pastor, Father John Putnam, for fostering his vocation.
“Without speaking to Father Putnam about my vocation, I can say I wouldn’t have pursued it,” Loftin says. “He told me that I would have many difficulties and that I would never make the right choice without prayer. I signed up for a weekly Holy Hour. I asked three of my friends to join me. Now, four years later, three of us four are in seminary.”
Loftin and eight of his brother seminarians graduated from St. Joseph College Seminary in August and now attend Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Cincinnati – among 49 men currently in some stage of formation to serve as priests in the Diocese of Charlotte.
He reflects on his journey in a conversation with the Catholic News Herald:
CNH: When did you first hear the call to a vocation to the priesthood?
Loftin: I first heard the call when I was a junior at Christ the King High School. I realized that the life I was living wouldn’t fulfill me. I wanted to sacrifice my life for something noble, and I knew I wasn’t living a life that would make me happy. When I saw the priests around me, I saw men who gave their lives to save souls. I knew I had to make a change. While I was afraid of making it public, I knew I had to pursue what God wanted from me in discerning a call to the priesthood.
CNH: What have you been doing to help deepen your discernment during your time in seminary?
Loftin: Since entering the seminary I’ve really enjoyed teaching and giving instruction about the faith. When St. Joseph College Seminary was still near St. Ann School, I would go there in my free time. During breaks now, I enjoy going to St. Mark School and teaching about the faith there and at home-school groups. There is no greater sight than to witness someone learning about God and then beginning to grow deeper in their love for Him.
Charlotte seminarians Christian Goduti, Matthew Harrison II and Bradley Loftin are shown at a Christ the King High School football game in Huntersville in 2018. Loftin credits their friendship for helping him discern his vocation. All three men are now studying at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Amy Burger)CNH: Can you share an example of how your interactions with students are making an impact?
Loftin: One of my favorite moments was when I visited St. Mark School and was able to answer the questions of the students. One student asked me what my favorite part of seminary was. When I replied that I loved the connection of prayer and fraternity at the seminary, the young man’s face lit up with excitement. I think back to this interaction as a motivation to keep spreading the joy that comes with the life that God provides for seminarians and priests.
CNH: Have you acquired some new skills since you entered seminary?
Loftin: Something I have learned is maintenance work. In my summers, I work at St. Mark as part of the maintenance staff. This has required me to learn new skills, from plumbing and electrical to maintaining landscaping. I think these skills will be a great help to me in the priesthood, as maintaining the church and grounds is a critical part of parish life. The skills I’ve learned will be able to assist me in that.
CNH: What advice do you have for a young man discerning a call to the priesthood?
Loftin: My advice is to listen to the angel in the first chapter of Matthew’s Gospel: “Do not be afraid.” While you may have fears about discerning the priesthood, realize that God will give you the grace to be His priest. God will strengthen you to follow Him, and He will lead you. Trust in the Lord so that you may discern.
— SueAnn Howell
Your DSA contributions at work
Seminarian education is funded in part by the annual Diocesan Support Appeal. Learn more about the DSA and how to donate online at www.charlottediocese.org/dsa.