What does it mean to be a man in the arena? This expression from President Theodore Roosevelt’s “Citizenship in a Republic” speech at the Sorbonne in Paris (April 23, 1910) has woven itself deeply into the culture at SJV:
“It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.”
These words, found on the wall outside our Father Balley Classroom, deeply inspire and vivify the work being done in formation at SJV. But they don’t merely resonate with the interior work our men undergo through personal prayer, spiritual direction, human formation, and academic studies. Our seminarians are trained to live the New Evangelization as “missionary disciples,” powerful witnesses of the Gospel on campus and throughout the community.
We sat down with five of our current seminarians who explained how participation in various apostolic outreaches during each year of formation is helping them grow confident in their calling to live as Men for Others and Men in the Arena.
John Paul Narog ‘25
Diocese of Duluth
Street Evangelization
What is the mission of your apostolate? The purpose of street ministry is not “let’s fix their problems.” There are a lot of government organizations doing that, but our purpose is to help them be seen, known, and loved. To give them that experience of the Father’s love that we receive at SJV.
What inspired you? Coming off the first core group with Christ in the City my new man year, another guy and I brought a lot of things we learned back to SJV. We started this Saturday group, totally voluntary, and the men loved it. We started to do some trainings, scope out good safe spots to send our seminarians to, and built up a good system. It doesn’t really matter what I feel. There are days I don’t want to do it, but oftentimes that’s when I have a beautiful encounter I never would have expected. Following the promptings of the Holy Spirit is not so much about my will but about God’s will.
Noah U’Ren ‘25
Diocese of New Ulm
Pro-Life Prayer Ministry
How did this apostolic outreach begin at SJV? It started informally when seminarians went to pray outside of Planned Parenthood. Now, all the new men participate and many of our men sign up in one-hour shifts every week to pray 20 decades (a full Rosary) outside of Planned Parenthood.
What are your prayer intentions? We pray in reparation for what is happening in the building but also in reparation for how these women have been abandoned or harmed by the ways in which men have failed to step up in their lives. We try to be a presence of stable, prayerful men who are there for them in their struggles. One of the saddest things is to see someone fall into the lie of, “It would be better if I were not.” It’s good that you are here, and you are loved.
Joe Etnier ‘24
Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis
Last Chance Mass
How do the Apostles inspire you to invite other students to SJV’s Last Chance Mass? Sometimes we only want to talk about the Faith with people we know, people we’re comfortable with, people we know will receive it, but we can go out of our comfort zones and talk to those people who need to hear it. If we don’t, who will? If someone didn’t tell me about the Gospel, where would I be? There are many people involved in my own story who reeled me in, and if it weren’t for them, would I be here in the seminary? Would I be here following Christ?
Encouragement for beginners? If the Apostles thought someone would hurt their feelings or they’d get rejected or judged, would the Gospel have been spread? Jesus said, ‘Be not afraid.’ By some counts, the Bible says it 365 times, once for every day. Just because it’s scary doesn’t mean we get a free pass not to do it. It’s an opportunity to be courageous and change somebody’s life.
Giovanni Gonzalez ‘26
Diocese of Joliet
Christ in the City Poverty Immersion
Best evangelization advice? To not be afraid to ask the Holy Spirit to make himself known with the people you are trying to reach. Don’t be afraid to ask for miracles, don’t be afraid to ask for signs, don’t be afraid to allow yourself to be an instrument for Him to make Himself present in crazy ways you would have never even thought possible.
How can I engage in a meaningful way with someone suffering from homelessness? Ask their name and repeat it to them, wishing them a nice day. We take for granted people using our names and asking about our day. For some of them, it’s been years without having heard their name or anyone caring in the slightest how their day or week has been going. It can be super impactful and one of the few conversations they have that entire week.
Patrick Storms ‘27
Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis
Pro-Life Prayer Ministry
What fruits have you seen? I’ve witnessed lives being saved through prayer in this ministry. When people see us praying outside of Planned Parenthood, they see there’s someone who cares about them and loves them. So many women going there for abortions don’t know they’re loved. They’ve been in abusive situations. But to see sidewalk counselors who care about them and the life of their child actually lets them know they’re loved.
Is it ever discouraging? You don’t always see the fruits of your labor when you start this ministry, and that’s okay. You might not see people turn around the first time you go to Planned Parenthood, or ever, but that doesn’t mean what you did didn’t make an impact. The prayers and time you offered up to God are not going to go unused.
