Matthew Camm, Pre-theologian, Pontifical College Josephinum

Diocese of Columbus, St. Patrick’s, Columbus, Parishioner

Matthew Camm, Columbus, Ohio, is an Otterbein College graduate with a degree in History and a minor in Mathematics. He was working as a collector for defaulted student loans when he began discerning a call to the priesthood.

“I have actually thought about serving the church since I was very young. My father was a Methodist minister and the call reemerged when I joined the Catholic Church,” said Matthew.

Matthew’s journey to the Roman Catholic Church actually began in the Byzantine Catholic Church in 2003. He began attending St. John Chrysostom Catholic Church, Columbus, at the invitation of a friend. A few months later he was catechized, and nine months later he converted.

Three years later, Matthew realized that spiritually he was being called to the Roman side of the Catholic Church. This required communication between the Bishop in the Byzantine Diocese and Bishop Campbell of the Columbus Diocese. His transfer request to the Roman rite was approved in July, 2007.

Shortly afterward, he began talking to Fr. Jeff Coning, Vocations Director, about discerning a call to the priesthood. He also began praying the Liturgy of Hours. He ended a serious relationship with his girlfriend, and a year later enrolled at the Josephinum in August, 2008.

Matthew, age 28, had furniture and all the things one needs to furnish an apartment when he was working. “I got rid of a lot of stuff before moving to the Josephinum. It was somewhat freeing. I have always been a bit of an academic though, so I kept all my books,” said Matthew.

He describes his seminary experience as very positive. “I am growing a lot spiritually in seminary. It is challenging every day to try to be more like Christ,” said Matthew.

In his spare time, Matthew enjoys reading “anything that isn’t assigned”, hiking (an Eagle Scout), and board games.

When asked what is most surprising in seminary, Matthew says, “Access to grace in the sacraments, Daily Mass, Morning and Evening prayer in community; I expected a life of prayer in seminary, but this is deeper and more meaningful than I ever imagined.”