Dan Darmanin St. John Vianney College Seminary (Junior Year) Home Parish: St. Frances Cabrini, Spring Hill

Dan is a native New Yorker who grew up on Long Island.  His family moved to Florida when he was in kindergarden. Dan has one younger sister who goes to Florida State.  After graduating from Nature Coast High School in 2005, Dan decided to go to the Univesity of Floridia.  He has tried a couple of different fields of study at UF including accounting, engineering, and business.  He is also a very accomplished organist and likes to build models, listen to music and spend time with friends. While he has been discerning the priesthood for a number of years through the ups and downs of college life, Dan finally decided his vocation could not wait any longer and decided to transfer to St. John Vianney College Seminary in August.  Dan is currently a junior at St. John Vianney.

Do your family and friends think it is a good idea that you’re becoming a priest? Both my family and friend could not be happier for my priestly vocation.

Do you ever have any fun? What do you do in your free time? There is much fun here in seminary, despite the many responsibilities. In my case, I like to spend time with my brother seminarians, watching a movie / TV or just having a great time in one’s company. As an organist, I also enjoy some practice time at the chapel organ.

If you were not a priest, what do you think you would be?  I studied engineering for most of my life, so it would be as an engineer. However, I cannot see myself in any other vocation which is as fulfilling as the priesthood.

How many brothers and sisters do you have? I have an amazing sister, Alyssa. She is studying graphic design at Florida State University.

What is your favorite TV program? I don’t necessarily have a favorite TV show, rather a few that I like to watch, which include: House, The Office, History Channel Documentaries, and anything else that catches my eye.

Who is your favorite singer or music group? I do not necessarily have a favorite singer or music group; rather a favorite composer, Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750). As an organist, I love to play and listen to his organ compositions. Other than organ literature, I always enjoy listening to any sort of instrumental music ranging from late renaissance up through the classical period.

Do you ever get bored while studying to be a priest? Not so much as bored, but tired. Daily life at seminary is filled with many activities. You sometimes cannot find the time to rest.

How is a seminary different than a regular school?   There are so many differences between the two. In my case, when I compare it to my life at the University of Florida, my time and activities were much different. There are a few similarities, of course: academics and finding great friends. However, seminary has three other pillars (human, spiritual, and pastoral) on top of academics which make seminary life so unique.

How often do you see your family? Those times within the year when we are able to go home. (e.g., fall/spring break, Christmas, Easter, etc.) plus summers.

Can you really be happy as a priest since priests don’t make much money?   Priest’s can still be quite happy even though they don’t make much money. They’re greater riches as a priest which do not have a monetary value.

Who helped you decide to become a priest? It has been a long journey for me and there really has been no one person who helped me decide to become a priest. My parish priests growing up, Msgr. John Cippel, Fr. David Toups, and Fr. John Blum, exemplified all the qualities which make up a great priest. My family for their support along with my very close friends who helped encourage me along my discernment journey.

What do you think the best thing will be about being a priest? The main reason why I feel called to be a priest is to be able to distribute the sacraments. To be given the gift to change ordinary bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, to be able to give absolution to the faithful, etc. Also, to interact with God’s people and help lead them closer to Christ.