Seminarian Carlos Nagore is ‘falling more in love with his call to the priesthood’

By Carissa Krautscheid 

While in his seventh year of priestly formation, seminarian Carlos Nagore shared his thoughts on discerning the priesthood. 

The Tucson native told the New Outlook he started to recognize God’s call for him while working with teenagers in Our Lady of Fatima Parish’s youth group and Confirmation programs. There Nagore saw firsthand the fruits in their lives that came from having a relationship with Christ. “I began falling in love with the Church,” he recalled. 

“I originally understood priesthood to just mean and emphasize a life of service - which it is,” Nagore reflected. “However, over the years I have grown to understand that the priesthood is so much more. So much more in the sense that the priest is not just a coworker with God, but His most intimate and beloved son who He has invited to share so intimately in His ministry and in His cross.” 

After attending Tucson High School and Pima Community College, Nagore transferred to Mount Angel Seminary in Oregon to earn his Bachelor of Philosophy and Literature. He then went to Saint John’s Seminary in California.  

“Since I started seminary,” said Nagore, “I have grown substantially in my personal development and spiritual life through formation, helping me become more aware of God's movements in my life and guiding me on how to courageously follow where God is leading me. I was very hesitant at first - as many are when being called by God - but after repeatedly saying yes to God and accepting His grace, I came to realize that this truly is all God's work that He is doing and just has invited me to participate in to witness both His love for others and for myself.” 

Nagore is currently in his internship year at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church in Sierra Vista, “My time here at St. Andrew’s has been incredibly rich in ministerial experience as I have worked with the local Army post, the regional K-8 Catholic school, the hospital, and other parish ministries and community programs. Working with these diverse facilities, programs, and ministries has helped me grow immensely in my ministerial skills. I am more fully aware of the diverse flock of the Church that will surely help me in my priestly ministry to share the love of Christ to all people of different social classes, backgrounds, and professions.” 

More than seven years into discernment, Nagore describes his time as positive albeit a bit of a rollercoaster, “I’m riding it out with Jesus. He is forming me and I’m getting more in love with the calling to the priesthood.” 

In his free time, the 25-year-old enjoys hiking, watching Star Wars, reading Bless Me Ultima (the topic of his capstone in college), hanging out with friends, and eating spicy honey barbecue buffalo wings.  

Nagore will leave St. Andrew’s parish this June and return to St. John Seminary. He is expected to complete formation in 2026, at which point – God willing – he will be ordained as a priest for the Diocese of Tucson.  

“My words of advice to all who are discerning would be the same words that the angel Gabriel said to Our Blessed Mother: ‘Do not be afraid.’ Let God show you his love, his Kingdom, his people. Let God do great things through you for others and for you; and witness His love.” 

Let us remember to pray for our seminarians and for all young men discerning a vocation to the priesthood.