Born in Washington State, Deacon Schmiesing is the oldest of seven children. Moving to Ohio just before his seventh birthday, they eventually settled near Sidney, where his dad grew up. He has three adopted brothers and three biological siblings, with only seven and half years between him and his youngest brother. Homeschooled until he attended Lehman Catholic High School, he enjoys working outside and with animals. He’s owned pets, chickens, goats, and cows. He loves sports, especially soccer, enjoying the competition, teamwork, discipline, effort, and skill. Moving and travelling regularly as a family, he learned to ask his favorite saint, the patron of travelers, St. Christopher, for his intercession. He admires this saint’s sense of duty and responsibility in a spirit of all-consuming charity.

When did you first think you might have a call to the priesthood?

In early grade school, I wrote that I wanted to “drive dump trucks, fly airplanes, and be a priest.” More maturely, I first seriously explored the seminary application process during my senior year of high school. Fr. Jim Riehle, the high school chaplain, took a group of juniors and seniors to visit Simon Brute College Seminary in Indianapolis, and around that time, I read To Save a Thousand Souls. Those two events spurred me to seriously consider a vocation to the priesthood.

Who are the people who have helped you the most on your journey? How did they help you?

My parents were certainly the most helpful, from raising me as a Catholic and encouraging consideration of the priesthood to ongoing support, advice, and prayer. Several priests were great influences, but foremost is Fr. Jim Riehle, who was the first priest I got to know personally and who demonstrated what a priest’s daily life was like. My organic chemistry professor at Franciscan University, Dr. Jeff Rohde, encouraged my continuing discernment and offered great advice. And my two formators, Fr. Chris Geiger and Fr. David Endres, were valuable guides in focusing my energy and effort in the most productive areas for growth.

What changes in yourself have you noticed since formally saying “yes” to the priesthood?

The most significant change is a deep sense of freedom. Perhaps counterintuitive, my commitment to the priesthood helped me open myself to fully investing in this vocation. I no longer “hedge my bets” against discerning out of seminary by trying to keep other options open. Now that the framework for the rest of my life is largely established, I am free to dive into that life without worrying about other possibilities.

What has surprised you most since joining the seminary?

The variety of personal backgrounds and histories among the seminarians has struck me over the years. There really is no “cookie-cutter” seminarian. We come with vastly different educational, professional, and personal backgrounds, bringing many different perspectives to theoretical and practical questions. I did not expect every seminarian to be the same, but I didn’t realize just how diverse the representation could be among fewer than 100 men in formation together.

What stood out during your internship year?

In a general way, the hunger that so many people have for God and truth, even without consciously realizing it, was striking. This need was brought into high relief on numerous occasions from various angles, even in our culture that professes Christianity. I found this hunger and the challenge of meeting it inspirational and pivotal in my final decision to continue to ordination.

Following the ordination, what aspect of your vocation are you most excited about? What part feels most daunting?

I am most excited about being a minister of the sacraments, especially the Sacrament of Penance. It is difficult to elaborate on concrete expectations, since I only know what my own confessions have been like, but I look forward to being God’s minister of healing in that way. If my assignment permits, I would love to be involved in Catholic schools, especially to teach in a high school. The most daunting aspect is entering into parish life generally, with all the uncertainties that brings. I have spent virtually my entire life as a student. Even though I may have the “book knowledge,” transitioning and applying that to parish ministry is intimidating.

Rev. Mr. Jacob G. Schmiesing has been assigned Parochial Vicar of St. Boniface, Piqua; St. Mary, Piqua; St. Patrick, Troy; St. Teresa of the Infant Jesus, Covington; and Transfiguration, West Milton.