From Miami to Rome: A Jesuit’s Journey of Faith and Adventure

Sometimes, the call to a vocation begins with an adventure. For Fr. Christian Saenz, SJ, it started with a backpack, a Eurail pass, and a heart seeking God. From a transformative backpacking pilgrimage across Europe to his studies in Rome and his deep love for history and Latin, Fr. Christian shares how God has guided his life at every turn, all across the globe.

Born and raised in Miami, Florida, to Colombian parents, Fr. Christian’s life has always been touched by faith. Daily prayers with his family and the steadfast routine of Sunday Mass laid a strong spiritual foundation. Father remembers that even when his family would go on vacation, his family always went to Mass.

“You know, back before we had smartphones and all that, my dad would stop at gas stations to ask for directions to the nearest Catholic church,” Fr. Christian recalls. “Sunday didn’t start until we had gone to Mass.”

His family life of faith was further nurtured by Catholic schooling, first at St. Hugh Catholic School and later at Belen Jesuit Preparatory School. From a young age, Christian developed a deep connection to the stories of saints, the traditions of the Church, and the richness of the Jesuit charism.

A Pilgrimage of the Heart

Though faith was always central to his life, a pivotal moment came when Fr. Christian was 18. Feeling the stirrings of discernment but unsure of his path, he embarked on a solo pilgrimage across Europe—a bold, transformative journey that mirrored the adventures of saints like Ignatius of Loyola.

With only a backpack and a Eurail pass, he visited sacred sites, including Santiago de Compostela in Spain, where he arrived serendipitously on the feast day of St. James. In Rome, he spent an entire day in prayer at St. Peter’s Basilica, reflecting on God’s call for his life. “I prayed for every single person I could remember,” he shares. “It felt like I was offering my whole life before the Lord.”

One of the most profound moments came in Greece, where he found a cave overlooking the sea. Inspired by the lives of saints who encountered God in solitude, he sat in prayer, waiting for a sign. And it came. “I felt God’s voice so clearly in that cave,” Fr. Christian recalls. “He said, ‘You are free. If you choose this path, it’s because you want to, not because I force you.’”

This experience didn’t immediately lead him to the Jesuits, but it planted a seed of freedom that would ultimately blossom into a call to the priesthood.

A Call to Serve

Father returned from his Europeans adventure and set off for college, attending Syracuse University, where he received a degree in international relations and Italian. After graduating, Fr. Christian returned to Miami and began working in his father’s shipping business. Though he found success, a deeper yearning for meaning persisted. He realized he wasn’t content with a life focused solely on material success.

During this time, an unexpected event became a turning point. One of his closest friends was in a serious car accident, leaving him bedridden for months. Fr. Christian spent countless hours at his friend’s bedside, reflecting on life, faith, and purpose. “It was like a conversion moment,” he says. “I started reevaluating everything—what I was doing, where I was going, and what God was asking of me.”

After considering the call he pondered in a cave in Greece years prior, Fr. Christian finally felt ready to take the next step. He applied to the Jesuit novitiate in the Dominican Republic, beginning a formation process that would span nearly a decade.

Formation and Mission

Jesuit formation is renowned for its depth and rigor, encompassing studies in philosophy and theology, intermixed periods of ministry and service in various apostolates. Fr. Christian’s journey took him from the novitiate in Santiago, Dominican Republic, to Fordham University in New York for philosophy studies, and back to his alma mater in Miami, where he taught history, civics, and Latin during his Regency period.

In 2008, he was sent to Rome to study theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University, where he would later return to teach. Rome became a second home—a place of deep study, prayer, and spiritual growth. After completing his theology studies and being ordained a priest, Fr. Christian pursued advanced studies in history, earning his doctorate and specializing in early church history.

Faith Through History and Language

Today, as a professor at the Gregorian University, Fr. Christian’s love for history and Latin informs his ministry. He believes that studying the past helps us understand who we are as Christians today. “I like to remind my students that a lot of these customs and things in the past are still here. We still have them. Maybe they've mutated over time, but this is where it's coming from. And there's our connection with the past. Certainly that curiosity of history, ancient history in particular for me, is to see who we are today as people, as Christians, by looking in the past.”

Latin, the Church’s official language, holds a special place in his heart. Fr. Christian not only teaches Latin but also celebrates Mass in both the ordinary and extraordinary forms. For him, Latin serves as a bridge between the past and present, uniting Catholics across generations and cultures.

Advice for Discerners

To young men discerning a vocation, Fr. Christian offers this advice: “Don’t discern alone. Seek out a spiritual director and let the process take as long as it needs. This isn’t about rushing to a decision; it’s about deepening your relationship with God and understanding His will for your life.”

He emphasizes the freedom of God’s call. “Vocation is an invitation, not a demand. God gives you the freedom to say yes or no.”

Conclusion: A Life of Grace

Fr. Christian’s journey—from a boy in Miami to a Jesuit priest teaching in Rome—is a testament to God’s providence and the power of discernment. His story reminds us that God’s call often unfolds over time, shaped by moments of grace, reflection, and trust.

Whether you’re discerning your own vocation or seeking inspiration in your faith journey, Fr. Christian’s story offers a profound reminder: when we listen to God’s voice, we find the path to true joy and purpose.