Formative, Fun-Loving, Fighting Texas Aggie Priest | Fr. Paul-Michael Piega | Episode #219

Father Paul-Michael Piega proves that you can simultaneously be a BeatiDude and a thriving young priest.  Fr. Piega joins Paul Kolker, Nick Bezner, and Jeff Schiefelbein for a dynamic dialogue that details his discernment while displaying the hallmark fraternity of the BeatiDudes.

Fr. Piega was born in Queens, New York, and lived there from the age of eight until he and his family moved to Texas. After graduating from Rowlett High School, Fr. Piega pursued pre-medical studies at Texas A&M University, where he initially began with a major in Biology. After a deep reversion experience in his sophomore year by attending a silent retreat during spring break, he fell back in love with his Catholic faith. He began to discern a vocation towards the priesthood. Fr. Piega graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Business Administration, where shortly thereafter he entered the seminary. He is an alumnus of St. Joseph Seminary College in St. Benedict, Louisiana, and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy, where he received a Bachelors in Philosophy and Theology respectively. He then studied at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross and acquired a licentiate degree in the Sacred Liturgy and also studied at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.

Father Piega is an ordained priest and is in service to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Austin, Texas. He is the Pastor of St. Patrick Catholic Church and is currently serving as a Diocesan Master of Ceremonies, is a member of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission, serves on the Diocese of Austin Vocation Team, is a member of the Diocesan Catholic School Advisory Board, provides talks, conferences and speaking events, and lastly enjoys building with Lego bricks!