Between going to Mass each day, spending time on the football field and pursuing a double major, St. Thomas sophomore Josh Vedane has a hectic schedule as both a football player and a seminarian.

Vedane, a punter on the St. Thomas football team, decided to study to become a priest and devote his life to God. His schedule isn’t always easy – he has to wake up early for morning prayer each day and stay up late to finish homework – but he said that he manages with a little help from above.

“It’s a tough schedule, but through God’s grace, He allows me to balance it somehow,” Vedane said. “The days are long, but the weeks fly by.”

Vedane’s ability to balance both aspects of his life amazes his teammate, defensive lineman Luke Hermann.

“I’ve talked to him about his schedule before, and I still don’t know how he does it,” Hermann said. “Every morning he’s up at 5:45 for morning prayer, and after that he just uses his time wisely and gets his homework done in between his football life and seminary life.”

As seminarians are required to major in Catholic studies and philosophy, Vedane’s homework requires a lot of reading, but he said he enjoys what he does.

“Catholic studies is an amazing department and an amazing program,” Vedane said. “It tries to pull whatever you’re learning in your business class or your science class … to form a Catholic point of vision.”

Life in the seminary revolves around that Catholic vision, according to the Rev. Michael Becker, St. John Vianney rector. He explained that seminarians spend about 20 hours each week on spiritual activities, such as going to Mass, praying the rosary and holding spiritual conferences. Becker said Vedane does a good job of managing his spiritual time and his football time.

“He seems to be enjoying very much his dual role as seminarian and punter on the football team,” Becker said. “He seems to be doing fairly well keeping up with his studies, prayer and fraternity, even as he does with practice and games with the football team.”

Sophomore seminarian Reed Flood said he’s noticed Vedane’s positivity off the field.

“Josh certainly has a lighthearted spirit which helps keep up the morale in the seminary. He’s the kind of guy who will make eye contact with you across a crowded room and send over a goofy wave just to cheer you up,” Flood said.

According to assistant coach Josh Rosenthal, Vedane’s presence is a valuable contribution to the football team.

“He brings a lot not only as a player, but as a young man with a great faith base underneath him,” Rosenthal said. “He’s a great example for the rest of the guys of what a young man should be.”

Vedane said he makes an effort to befriend his fellow seminarians.

“You get to learn everybody’s name in the seminary – 136 guys – 150 counting the guys we have over in Rome, and you learn all their names,” Vedane said. “We have a name test in the fall that we have to pass.”

By knowing each other’s names, the seminarians form a tight bond, and Becker said they enthusiastically support Vedane in his football endeavors.

“The men love cheering for him and the team on the sidelines,” Becker said. “We are proud of him and the team.”

Theresa Bourke can be reached at bour5445@stthomas.edu.