Deacon John Lado

My life before the seminary:

I grew up as the youngest of four children in Rockville, Maryland. I was home schooled throughout grade school, and I was a full-time student at the Catholic University of America for one year until I transferred to John Paul II Seminary. I used to swim competitively and later I coached swimming for a few seasons. I am an Eagle Scout and a Vigil Honor Order of the Arrow member where I served in a different leadership position several years in a row. I have also worked as a counselor for the Light the World! CUA summer institute during its first and second years.

What convinced me to enter the seminary:

I had thought about the priesthood since I was a young boy, but I never really thought seriously about joining the seminary until the summer after senior year of high school. Three distinct experiences are worth mentioning: first, I had a tremendous experience of God's love in Eucharistic Adoration which prompted me to seek out a relationship with Christ; second, the great examples of the priesthood I was exposed to really encouraged me especially Msgr. Kane, Msgr. Hart, Fr. Rodgers, Fr. Paris, and Fr. Wadsworth; third, the desire to discover God's plan for me seemed to always point to the seminary and there came a point where I could no longer find the answer outside the seminary!

Other interests include:

I enjoy following the Washington Capitals, playing almost any kind of sports, singing in the seminary choir, and spending time with my brother seminarians.