Jacob Francois

Introduction/Tell things about you, your family, your Catholic journey
My name is Jacob Francois and I am excited and humbled to be a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Dubuque. I grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa along with my 3 brothers and 2 sisters. I am a proud graduate of LaSalle Catholic elementary and middle school and Xavier High School. My family are members of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. My childhood centered around my Catholic school, our parish, friends and extended family, along with camping, fishing, road trips to National Parks and detours to Catholic shrines along the way. I have fond memories of all the priests I was introduced to over the years, and undoubtedly their powerful witness of priestly life of sacrifice and devotion to the Church which inspired and kindled in me a vocation to the priesthood. 

Recently, I finished graduate studies (Ph.L. & M.A.) at the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Krakow in philosophy. I finished my undergrad from my studies at Loras College and Benedictine College where I studied philosophy and theology. I also have a teaching background as I taught theology at Don Bosco High School after I graduated from Benedictine. I am very excited to be studying at Mundelein Seminary as I continue in formation for the Archdiocese of Dubuque.

Where/when did your sense of call develop?
Since my childhood I have had wonderful models of priesthood which I looked up to during my youth, it was from their priestly witness that I quietly discerned in my heart if this might be a lifestyle that Christ might be asking me to undertake in my own life. Over the years I have had many wonderful priest mentors who have guided and assisted me in my discernment; their mentorship was invaluable as I saw the life of a priest lived out in a concrete way. This call has seemed to solidify in me as I grew more and more comfortable with the idea of priesthood through encouragement of many of my friends and family as I continued to discern God’s will for my life. However, it was primarily in my time at Xavier High School where I felt the Lord asking me to discern priesthood in the adoration chapel at my home parish in Cedar Rapids.

Were you invited by others to enter seminary?
Yes, many parishioners at my parish have encouraged me throughout the years, but also from priests whom I have been lucky enough to have as mentors in my life. Another big mentor for me was my high school youth minister, Molly Larkin (now Sr. Maris Stella FSGM) who encouraged me to ask the hard questions, to ask the Lord in adoration, and to see how the Lord might use me to build up the kingdom. Her friendship as she guided me and other young people into a relationship with Christ was invaluable she accompanied me on my own faith journey.

What was your main motivation in pursuing your call?
Karol Wojtyła once said that “Freedom exists for the sake of Love.” Once you are free, you are able to love. Through a process of maturing in the Christian life, and through a process of long time prayer and discernment (particularly as a fruit of Eucharistic adoration), I discerned that my gifts and talents might be used more effectively for the Kingdom of God in priesthood as a vocation that the Lord might be welcoming me into. I knew that I wanted to serve others, teach people about Christ and His Church, while also being present in the lives of people in their darkest and most joyful times of life, which are seen most evidently in the passing of a loved one or at a baptism of a child into the Church. The priest has a privileged place in society where he must be present to his flock in order for the people to receive the sacraments and hold on to the Christian faith, a beautiful role where the priest must humble himself in order for the faithful to receive the sacraments by being present to those who God has entrusted to his care. It is my hope that Chirst would confirm that call in me as I continue formation.

Who were/are your biggest influences?
Fr. Ivan Nienhaus, my long time pastor in my childhood has been a great mentor for me and has encouraged me to discern priesthood and encouraged me to branch out out of my comfort zone and to study in Krakow. Through his encouragement I have learned to think with an open mind and to open my horizons and to discern how exactly the Lord is calling me to a life of holiness in a personal encounter with Christ through eucharistic adoration. I am also grateful for my family, particularly my parents and grandparents who helped provide a wonderful Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Dubuque K-12.

What advice would you give other men who are discerning their call?
Do not be afraid to ask the big questions in your life. The Lord will give help to those who call upon Him and ask Him for help; He has a beautiful plan for your life so you do not need to be frightened by how it all all unfold, because life with Christ is a wonderful adventure.