Jared Hernandez 
Birth Date
June 9
Parish Location
St. Mary, Moline
Year entered the Seminary/Class of
Entered in 2023, Class of 2031
Studying at
Immaculate Heart of Mary
Why did you become a seminarian?
When I was in fourth grade, my mom was invited to do a holy hour at St. Pius X parish in Rock Island. After her first holy hour, I began to go to Eucharistic adoration with my family every Saturday at 8 p.m. On one of those Saturday nights in adoration, I urged Jesus to reveal his plans for my life. Towards the end of the hour, I felt Jesus say to me in silence, in my heart, “priesthood.” It was not what I was expecting. I was only in fourth grade! Seven years later, the call had not gone away. During the pandemic of 2020, I received a lot of graces and I surrendered to God and whatever he wanted for me. I am now at peace that he has asked me to go to seminary and that I’m on this path to become the person God created me to be.
Before you entered the seminary, what were you doing?
I attended Alleman Catholic High School in Rock Island where I played soccer. I was also an altar server for Spanish masses at St. Mary’s in Moline.
An interesting fact about you:
I grew up playing the trumpet and soccer. I speak Spanish, and I like watching The Chosen series.