Twin Vocations: ‘We’re Each Individuals for a Reason’

Johnathan and Michael Hickey share a great many things – hobbies and interests, musicality, their love of Corgis – even the same face. Not surprising, as they are identical twins. Twins supposedly share just about everything, but in the Hickeys’ case, that goes so far as to include potential vocations to the priesthood.

Many people within the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend may not realize that there is a set of twins studying at Mount St. Mary’s in Maryland, as the brothers are currently in separate years of formation. Johnathan discerned a year earlier than his brother, and is in 1st Year Theology, while Michael is in 2nd Year Pre-Theology. 

With lives so closely intertwined, it is difficult to talk about one brother without mentioning the other. Johnathan shared that during the summer when he attended the Institute for Priestly Formation, he learned about the “I and we examen,” which teaches a person to contemplate their everyday language in that “it’s always supposed to be Jesus and you doing everything, and then paying attention to where it’s just me.” He stated that in his mind, he already uses that language, usually in conjunction with his brother. “We just did everything together.” 

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