Denver Catholic

47 DENVER CATHOLIC | FEB-MAR 2024 BLAISE BUCHES W H AT' S YO U R H O M E TOW N? W H AT WA S YO U R U P B R I N G I N G L I K E ? I was born and raised in Lakewood, Colorado, the fourth of seven children. My upbringing consisted of a robust family life which included daily Mass, a daily Rosary, dinner together as a family, and so many other parts of daily life done together as a family. As soon as I received my first communion when I was six years old, I loved to serve at the altar and always wanted "to do what Father did." My family would attend Sunday Mass at the Cathedral where I would either serve at the altar or sing in the children's choir. We later made Holy Ghost our home parish and have been parishioners there for over 10 years. I was homeschooled through the beginning of high school at which point I went to California to attend St. Michael's Preparatory High School which was run by the Norbertine Fathers in Orange County. After graduating high school, I entered the seminary, first attending Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis for two years for college seminary, then returning to Denver to St. John Vianney Seminary for the Spirituality Year and my philosophy and theology studies. W H E N D I D YO U D I S COV E R T H AT T H E LO R D WA S C A L L I N G YO U TO B E A P R I E S T ? The desire has been there in some way or another since I was six years old when I started to serve Mass, some- times stronger, sometimes not as strong. It was during my junior year of high school when I was beginning to con- sider which college to attend that the thought of entering the seminary came to me as a real option. During the end of my junior year and into my senior year of high school, with the help of my spiritual director, I discerned that the Lord was calling me, pulling me slowly to himself to live as a priest. The deciding moment was when I was going through the application process to enter college seminary and I prayed a holy hour at the Adoration Chapel at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Wheat Ridge; the hour was one of complete peace with the Lord. W H AT A R E YO U M O S T LO O K I N G FO R WA R D TO A B O U T B E I N G A P R I E S T ? Above all else I am looking forward to administering the Sacraments, particularly through the celebration of the Holy Mass and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The Holy Mass has been the center of my life and has capti- vated my heart for many years, particularly in the richness of the liturgical year, the many and varied chants, and the text of the prayers of the Mass. So, too, in the experience of Reconciliation and the reception of forgiveness has my heart often times soared with great delight. In all of the brokenness and darkness in the world, the confessional stands as a haven for souls, where they can lighten their burdens and receive the embrace of the Father who loves them dearly and fully forgives every sin. W H O A R E S O M E S A I N T S/ M E N TO R S/ I M P O R TA N T FI G U R E S T H AT H AV E H E L P E D YO U A LO N G I N YO U R VO C ATI O N? There are so many! Countless Saints have helped to deepen my prayer life and have set my heart on fire with love for our Lord through their writings, drawing me closer and closer to the Trin- ity and our Blessed Mother. If I had to pick, I would say the most influential Saints (after our Lady) have been the great Carmelite Saints (Sts. John of the Cross, Teresa, and Thérèse), St. John Vianney, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, and Blessed Columba Marmion. Each in his (or her) own way has formed a specific part of my heart and has become my special and dear friend. I am also deeply grateful to some of the most wonderful priests whom I have met and befriended over the years. While there are many to whom I am grateful, the two who have helped to form me by their example and friendship in major ways are Father Samuel Morehead and Father Daniel Barron, OMV. To these two priests I am indebted and grateful beyond words, for their example of priestly life in all its dimensions, their love of our Blessed Lord and our Lady, and their friendship and assistance throughout my years in seminary. DENVER CATHOLIC | FEB-MAR 2024 47 troubled youth of his time. St. John Vianney was also very inspirational to me. My dad has also been a great mentor to me, teaching me how to be a man and a Christian, along with my mom, seeing her sacrifice and love for our family. My pastor growing up, Father Stephen Siebert, was also a great mentor as he inspired me in how he lived for his flock and helped me in the discernment process early on. BY DENVER CATHOLIC STAFF

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