George Staley finds himself in a place that most college freshmen have never considered: the seminary.  After months of discernment during high school, Staley said that he applied to Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, and ultimately decided to attend. He intends on becoming a parish priest in the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

“Joining the seminary doesn’t commit me to a life in the priesthood,” Staley said. “The seminary offers me a multifaceted experience allowing me to discern whether or not God is calling me to the priest life, the married life, or the single life.”

Staley has been considering the seminary since March of his junior year at St. Louis University High School.  He eventually decided to apply to Kenrick-Glennon in addition to several other colleges, including Saint Louis University.

While Staley lives and takes several classes at Kenrick-Glennon, he is often on SLU’s campus with other seminarians taking some of the core requirement classes. After the completion of the first four years, Staley will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy.

“My first four years are a little different, but I’m still going through a somewhat typical undergraduate education,” Staley said.

In addition to the classroom commitments, Staley and the other first-year seminarians participate in other spiritual formation exercises.  In an effort to help foster the four pillars of the seminary— academic, spiritual, pastoral, and the human element— the seminary requires Staley to participate in apostolic service, helping the elderly every Tuesday.

In addition, the seminary requires Staley to take part in a formation conference with the other seminarians on Wednesdays.

While much of Staley’s time is devoted to the seminary, he still finds time to continue his hobbies. Having had the opportunity to play at Cardinals games and on Capitol Hill, Staley has played the violin since he was eight-years-old. In addition to his love for the violin, Staley follows sports and enjoys reading about western civilization.

“I enjoy balancing a lot of things because there is not just one thing I’m devoted to,” Staley said. “It’s important to grow physically, intellectually and spiritually, and that balance allows me to do that.”

Staley’s devotion to growing as a person is recognized by his peers.

“George is the type of guy who finds many interests and dedicates himself to those interests,” said John Schneier, a fellow seminarian and high school classmate.  “He is very passionate and gives his whole heart to everything he does.”

Staley said that he credits his ability to balance many interests to his experiences at SLUH.  In high school, Staley served as captain of the swim team and was a member of the wrestling team.  Staley said that he also was involved in Student Council and participaterd in Campus Ministry as a retreat leader for Kairos.

Before moving to St. Louis, Staley spent the first three years of his life in Orange County, Calif.  Staley’s parents moved to St. Louis to be closer to their family, and his home remains in Des Peres where he is the oldest of five children.

Before attending SLUH, Staley graduated from St. Clement of Rome Catholic Church in Des Peres, a local suburb of St. Louis.  Up until the eighth grade, however, he had been home schooled.

“The transition to eighth grade and then to high school was a big, but exciting, experience that prepared me for the transition to the seminary now,” Staley said.