Andrew Bailey

1st Theology
Pontifical North American College, Rome, Italy

I grew up in the Saint John Valley where the roots of my faith were intertwined with the culture and people.  This is where I learned the importance of faith, family, and hard work and developed a strong connection with my parish priests whom I looked up to as mentors and leaders.

In 2011, my family moved from Maine to Wisconsin, and I attended St. Francis Xavier High School (Class of 2016) and then the College of St. Scholastica (Class of 2020), where I earned a BA in theology & religious studies and history. The values and guiding principles of these Catholic schools have been very formative for myself as a young man, and they have fostered my love for the Catholic faith.

I have close ties to Saint John Vianney Parish (St. Louis Church/Fort Kent), as that is where I altar served growing up, received the sacraments of confirmation, Eucharist, and reconciliation, and first contemplated a call to diocesan priesthood. There have been many people who have influenced and encouraged my decision to take this next step in discernment, such as the parish priests and religious in my life, mentors I have had, my brother, parents, and grandparents.

Ultimately, I have realized that I experience the most joy when I follow God’s will for my life and put my trust in him. I have experienced God’s abundant love and grace most profoundly in the sacraments of the Church and, God willing, I hope to one day share my joy for the Church and the Gospel message with others through priestly ministry.

My family recently moved “back east” to Trenton, Maine, from the Midwest, and we have enjoyed exploring all Down East Maine has to offer.  We are active members of St. Joseph Church in Ellsworth and Holy Redeemer Church in Bar Harbor. I am excited for the opportunity to continue my studies and formation at Saint John’s Seminary in Brighton, MA, and I look forward to meeting more people across our great state of Maine over the years to come! 

Fun Facts:

My family is Acadian (Jalbert, Morin, and Guerrette) and I am looking forward to learning more about Acadian culture and history!

Hobbies: Nordic skiing, running, biking, kayaking, reading, spending time with friends and family

Favorite food: Ployes, chicken alfredo, my mom’s pizza, Pat’s Pizza, and poutine

Favorite saints: St. John Vianney, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, St. Thomas More, St. Ignatius of Antioch, St. Leo XIII, St. Augustine, St. Monica, St. Francis Xavier, St. Francis de Sales, St. Scholastica, St. Benedict, and many more!!

Favorite authors: Doris Kearns Goodwin, Pope Benedict XVI, George Weigel, Flannery O’Connor, C.S. Lewis, Josef Pieper, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, and Thomas Merton

Favorite churches: St. Louis Church, Fort Kent; Holy Redeemer Church, Bar Harbor; St. Luce Church, Frenchville; Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Portland; St. Joseph’s on Capitol Hill, Washington, DC; Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Washington, D.C.; Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel, St. Scholastica Monastery, Duluth, MN