As an undergraduate student at St. John’s University, Thomas King became acquainted with the Vincentian community. The Oakdale native was studying toward a degree in adolescent education (with a concentration in biology) – all while growing active in campus ministry and taking on a minor in theology.

King graduated in 2012 and, like many aspiring teachers, dove right back into academics to earn his master’s degree. He returned to St. John’s, where the draw to the mission of St. Vincent de Paul continued to appeal to his spirituality.

As a grad student, King ramped up his involvement with campus ministry, leading service trips to Germantown, the U.S. headquarters of the Vincentians, and Lourdes, France. Most of his outreach, however, occurred in the poor sections of Manhattan and the local housing projects near the St. John’s campus in Queens.

“All of these experiences had been putting me in situations that I never really envisioned myself in,” King said.

It was a busy time for King, between attending classes, participating in student-teaching field experiences and ministering to individuals struggling on the margins of society.

In what seemed like a flash, King finished his graduate studies and was hired to teach biology and physics at Monsignor Scanlan High School in Bronx, N.Y. He was living the so-called American dream. But King came to find out it was no longer his.

“During my time teaching, I was thinking about different things for my life and I felt like something was missing,” King explained. “A big part of it was this contact I had made with the Vincentians, and also keeping up with my faith and service life.”

So in February of his first year as a full-time teacher, he applied to the seminary.

Once King was admitted, he was required to return to school – once again, he chose St. John’s – to complete a degree in philosophy, a standard requirement for seminarians. He then moved on to the internal seminary, more commonly known as the novitiate, in Germantown to deepen his spirituality.

This phase saw King participating in the structured prayer within the community of fellow seminarians and priests, which allowed him to develop a better understanding of community living.

He has since been accepted into the internal seminary or novitiate located in Germantown, Philadelphia.. The emphasis in this phase is growing in an understanding of the history and spiritual traditions. A apart of this experience is service in nearby St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Germantown, ministering to the elderly. His afternoons were largely comprised of Communion rounds to the sick and homebound. Given his background, King also assisted with a tutoring program, In Dwelling, which helped teenagers complete their work after school and prepare college applications.

King departed Monteagle Ridge at the end of February. Soon, he’ll begin working toward a master’s degree in theology at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania.

While he only spent 36 days at NU, King said the spirituality and closeness of the university community was very apparent.

“Niagara University is a very lively place in terms of spirituality,” King stated. “It’s close-knit and not as overwhelming as St. John’s. The campus has a very peaceful element and there’s a real sense of community. I was so impressed with the generosity and willingness of students and employees to meet and be with other people; it’s such an inviting culture.

“At Niagara, there are so many positive things that people are working on. There’s such a drive to make the community better.”