Forming Future Priests at the Heart of the Church

Seminarians from western South Dakota are being formed at the heart of the Catholic Church because of your prayers, generosity, and support. These photos and reflections from Dillon Johnson, a seminarian for the Diocese of Rapid City, offer a glimpse of that formation in action.

Dillon is currently studying at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, recently shared photos and reflections from his year of formation. His experiences offer a glimpse into the prayer, fraternity, study, and service that shape future priests. 

Life at the North American College centers on prayer, theological study, community life, and pastoral formation. Seminarians from dioceses across the United States live and study together while preparing for priesthood at the heart of the Catholic Church. 

Throughout this past year of formation, Dillon served as a Master of Ceremonies for liturgies at the seminary, assisted with parish ministry during the Easter Vigil in England, and participated in pilgrimages and formation experiences throughout Europe. He also shared moments of fraternity and friendship with fellow seminarians, including Gabe Fanning and Josiah Hanson of the Diocese of Rapid City. 

This past year also brought extraordinary opportunities to witness the life of the universal Church firsthand. Dillon attended the canonization celebrations for St. Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati, witnessed the election of Pope Leo XIV, and had the opportunity to serve at liturgies in St. Peter’s Basilica.

One especially meaningful moment came during a visit from Fr. Mark McCormick, Vocations Director for the Diocese of Rapid City, who celebrated Mass with Dillon and Gabe at the tomb of St. Philip Neri in Rome. 

While these experiences take place thousands of miles from home, their impact will one day be felt here in western South Dakota. The seminarians being formed today will become the priests who celebrate the sacraments, guide parish communities, accompany families through life’s joys and hardships, and share the Gospel for decades to come. 

Thank you for supporting our seminarians through your prayers, generosity, and participation in Foundation events throughout the year. Your support is helping form the future priests who will one day serve and strengthen Catholic communities across western South Dakota. 

Summer Ministry Update
After studying in Rome, Dillon is spending the summer serving at St. Therese of the Little Flower in Rapid City alongside Fr. Mark McCormick. He will also participate in the Encounter Ministries Conference and Boys Totus Tuus Camp as part of his ongoing formation for priesthood.

Posing with Fr. Mark McCormick when he was here to visit Gabe and Dillon in Assisi.

Dillon Johnson with fellow seminarians from the Dakotas and Montana at a closing banquet celebrating their year of formation.

Dillon Johnson and Gabe Fanning at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome for the canonization of St. Carlo Acutis and St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, an opportunity to experience the beauty and universality of the Catholic Church during their priestly formation.

Dillon’s house job at the NAC is the Master of Ceremonies for the liturgies.

Dillon’s serving at the NAC as Master of Ceremonies for the liturgies.

Dillon Johnson with his fellow seminarians at the Pontifical North American College for their annual group photo.

Easter Vigil with brother seminarians where we assisted in a small town parish in England this year.

Dillon Johnson and his brother seminarians witness the election of Pope Leo XIV from Rome.

Fr. Mark McCormick celebrating Mass for Gabe and I at the tomb of St. Philip Neri in Rome.

Dillon Johnson and fellow seminarians Gabe Fanning and Josiah Hanson celebrate Gabe’s Lector Institution, an important milestone in preparation for priesthood.

Dillon Johnson serves at St. Peter’s Basilica during a liturgy with Pope Leo XIV, one of the many experiences shaping him as he prepares for a lifetime of priestly service.