Seminarians urge support for the Burse Fund

By Archdiocese of Miami -

MIAMI | The Burse Fund collection will take place in all South Florida parishes the weekend of August 2-3, 2025.

Father Milton Martinez Blass, archdiocesan director of Vocations, has written an introduction to the testimonies of three archdiocesan seminarians regarding their vocations and urging support for the Burse Fund, an endowment that underwrites the cost of their studies in the seminary.
Click on this link to read and download Archbishop Thomas Wenski's letter in English and Spanish announcing the collection.

You can also follow this link to make a donation.

 

 

 

Father Milton Martínez Blass

“Master, … at your command I will lower the nets.” - Luke 5:5

When Simon Peter obeyed Jesus and lowered his nets into the deep, he didn’t do so because it made sense. He did so because he trusted. That simple act of obedience led to a miraculous catch — more than he could have imagined.

In that same spirit of faith, the Archdiocese of Miami invites you to take part in something equally courageous and grace-filled: the annual Seminary Burse Fund. This initiative supports the formation of young men who are responding to Christ’s call to the priesthood. Like Peter, many of these men are learning to trust in God’s timing, voice and mission. Every contribution to the Burse Fund is a casting of the net — an act of hope in the promise that God will bring forth a great harvest. Through your generosity, you help equip our seminarians with the spiritual, human and academic tools needed to serve as the future priests of our local Church.

On behalf of Archbishop Thomas Wenski, our seminarians and all who labor in this sacred work: May God reward your generosity, and may we never hesitate to lower our nets again, even when the night has been long.

Deacon Saint-Clos Papouloute

I am Deacon Saint-Clos Papouloute. I come from Haiti and am the oldest of five children. Raised in the Catholic faith, my first experience of love came from my family. Their example taught me that true love often involves sacrifice — and that love is the presence of God within us. This experience helped me recognize God’s call to give myself entirely in service to His people. At age 12, I joined a parish youth group. There, I discovered that people are spiritually, morally and intellectually like plants that need daily nourishment. This deepened my connection with God and the Church.

Initially, I dreamed of becoming an engineer, then studied education to become a teacher. But through prayer, community life and active parish involvement, I felt called to something greater: to proclaim God’s love as a priest.

I entered Saint John Vianney College Seminary in the Archdiocese of Miami in August 2017 and graduated in May 2021. I am currently studying at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach. With the support of my spiritual director, formators and seminarian brothers, I have grown in clarity and conviction. I am now a transitional deacon serving at St. James Parish in North Miami Beach and, God willing, I will be ordained a priest next year.

The joy and simplicity of the priests I have known continue to inspire me on my priesthood’s journey. I thank you all for your prayers and generosity, which have helped me become who I am today. May God bless you.

Haitian Creole Version

Mwen se Dyak Saint-Clos Papouloute, fèt Ayiti nan yon fanmi ki genyen 5 pitit. Mwen grandi nan lafwa Katolik, e premye eksperyans lanmou mwen pou Bondye soti nan fanmi mwen. Egzanp yo ban mwen moutre mwen ke vrè lanmou an toujou mande sakrifis, epi pi gwo lanmou an se lè ou gen prezans Bondye nan lavi ou. Eksperyans sa yo ede mwen rekonèt apèl Bondye pou m bay tèt mwen pou sèvi pèp li a.

Lè mwen te gen douzan, mwen te rantre nan gwoup jèn nan pawas lakay mwen. Se la mwen te kòmanse dekouvri ke lespri, moral, ak entèlijans yon moun se tankou yon plant ki bezwen dlo pou li grandi. Dlo sa pa lòt bagay ke lapwiyè, Sa te vin ranfòse koneksyon mwen ak Bondye epi ak Legliz la.

Okòmansman, mwen te reve vin yon enjenyè, epi aprè sa, mwen te sanje ide mwen te al etidye nan lekòl nòmal pou m vin pwofesè. Men, atravè lapriyè, ak angajman nan pawas la, mwen te santi yon apèl pou yon bagay ki pi gran kise anonse lanmou Bondye kòm yon pè. Se sa ki tap pouse mwen antre nan seminè Saint John Vianney College nan Archdiocèse Miami nan mwa out 2017, mwen gradye an me 2021, epi kounye a map kontinye fòmasyon mwen nan Seminè Rejyonal Saint Vincent de Paul. Avèk sipò direktè espirityèl mwen, fòmatè yo, ak frè seminaris mwen yo, mwen grandi plis nan konviksyon mwen ki pèmèt  kounye a mwen se dyak tranzitwa kap sèvi nan pawas Saint James nan North Miami Beach, e si Bondye vle, map òdone pè anne pwochèn.

Lafwa, lajwa, ak senplisite prèt mwen te konnen yo kontinye enspire m nan chemen mwen pou vin pè. Map remèsye nou tout pou lapriyè nou ak jenewozite nou, ki ede m vin moun mwen ye jodi a. Ke Bondye beni nou.

 

David Papa

“The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” - Matthew 9:37-38

The priesthood —and the path towards it — is not our own, but a sharing in Christ ministry. As disciples and future priests, we become the hands and feet of Christ. Through our continued “yes” to the Lord, His salvific work and kingdom become present. I am a witness to this. Through my personal “yes” to the Lord and His priesthood, I have come to understand a profound truth: we love God by serving others. Priesthood is the complete dedication of our lives to loving the Lord through serving His people. Whether ministering to the sick and dying or preparing a young couple for marriage. Bringing the Lord, bringing His light through our ministry is how God is made present not only to those we serve, but to us as well — His ministers.

To be formed into the priesthood of Jesus Christ for this great archdiocese is a blessing and a gift that no words can explain. I am thankful to all who, with their fervent prayers and financial support to the Seminary Burse Fund, have allowed me and all the seminarians become the priests God wants us to be. Thank you very much for your support and generosity.

Spanish Version

“Entonces dijo a sus discípulos: La cosecha es abundante, pero los trabajadores son pocos. Rueguen al dueño de los sembrados que envíe trabajadores para la cosecha”. - Mateo 9:37-38

El sacerdocio y el camino hacia él no son un ministerio propio, sino una participación en el ministerio de Cristo. Como discípulos y futuros sacerdotes nos tenemos que convertir en las manos y los pies de Cristo aquí en la tierra. Mediante nuestro continuo “sí” al Señor su obra salvífica su reino y se hace presente. Soy testigo de ello. A través de mi “sí” personal al Señor y a su sacerdocio he llegado a comprender una verdad profunda: se ama a Dios a través del servicio a los demás. Y el sacerdocio es la dedicación total de nuestras vidas a amar al Señor a través del servicio a su pueblo, ya sea atendiendo a los enfermos y moribundos, o preparando a una joven pareja para el matrimonio.

Llevar al Señor, traer su luz a través de nuestro ministerio es como Dios se hace presente no solo a quienes ministramos, sino también a nosotros, a sus ministros.

Formarse en el sacerdocio de Jesucristo para esta gran Arquidiócesis es una bendición y un don indescriptibles. Agradezco a todos aquellos que, con sus fervientes oraciones y su ayuda económica al Fondo de la Beca del Seminario, nos han permitido a mí y a todos los seminaristas convertirnos en los sacerdotes que Dios quiere que seamos. ¡Muchas gracias por todo su apoyo y generosidad!

 

Joseph Aceñas

Growing up in Quezon City, Philippines, I spent most of my life attending Sunday Mass without truly understanding our faith. I simply drifted through life until college, when I move to Miami with my family. Despite a fortunate life, I felt a persistent emptiness. This changed after an Effeta retreat in Miami. It opened my eyes to God’s immense love — a love so profound that He died for us. In prayer, I asked Him: “And Why me?”

I began serving my parish as a lector, altar server, Eucharistic minister, catechist and more — everything with my whole heart gratitude. In prayer, a distinct and persistent call I had ignored before become clear: I was called to follow in my pastor’s footsteps. I was called to be a spiritual father to God’s people, — Christ’s Bride — guiding them through every moment, from baptism to funeral Mass, celebrating their joys and comforting them in their sorrows.

That’s why I’m now in seminary, discerning His call. I’m grateful for the support of God’s people and the Archdiocese of Miami, especially for offering “Simbang Gabi” Masses. The traditional Filipino Mass songs always bring tears to my eyes, and now I deeply understand their meaning and our Catholic faith.

I humbly ask for your prayers and support as we seminarians continue this journey, God willing, to serve as your priests. May God bless you.

Tagalog Version

Lumaki po ako sa Quezon City, Pilipinas, at halos buong buhay ko ay nagmimisa tuwing Linggo nang hindi lubos na nauunawaan ang ating pananampalataya. Nagpatuloy lang po ako sa buhay, hanggang sa nagkolehiyo at lumipat sa Miami kasama ang aking pamilya. Sa kabila ng isang mapalad na buhay, nakaramdam po ako ng patuloy na kawalan.

Nagbago po ito matapos ang isang retreat na EFFETA sa Miami. Nabuksan ang aking mga mata sa napakalawak na pagmamahal ng ating Ama—isang pagmamahal na napakalalim at handa Niyang ialay ang Kanyang Anak para sa atin. Habang nanalangin, tinanong ko Siya, "At bakit ako?" Nagsimula akong maglingkod sa aking parokya bilang lektor, altar server, Eucharistic Minister, catechist, at iba pa, lahat ay buong pusong pasasalamat. Sa panalangin, naging malinaw ang isang natatangi at patuloy na tawag na binalewala ko noon: ang sundan ang yapak ng aking pastor. Tinawag Niya akong maging isang pari sa Iglesia ng Diyos, gabayan sila sa bawat sandali, mula sa Binyag hanggang Misa ng Libing, ipagdiwang ang kanilang mga kagalakan at sandalan sila sa kanilang mga kalungkutan.

Kaya naman, narito ako ngayon sa seminaryo, dinidiskubre ang Kanyang tawag. Nagpapasalamat ako sa suporta ng bayan ng Diyos at sa Archdiocese of Miami, lalo na sa pag-aalok ng mga Misa ng "Simbang Gabi." Ang mga awiting pang-Misa ay laging nagpapaagos ng luha sa aking mga mata, ngayon na mayroon na akong malalim na pag-unawa sa kanilang kahulugan at sa aming pananampalatayang Katoliko.

Mapagpakumbaba akong humihingi ng inyong mga panalangin at suporta para sa amin mga seminarista habang ipinagpapatuloy namin ang paglalakbay na ito, sa kalooban ng Diyos, upang maging inyong mga pari balang araw. Pagpalain po kayo ng Diyos.