Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

Emerson Wells, a seminarian from Louisville, completed the 129th Boston Marathon on April 21 with a rosary in hand and thoughts of the priesthood. "I was using the race as an opportunity to pray for vocations and the priesthood," said Wells, who is affiliated with the Archdiocese of Louisville.

During the marathon, Wells dedicated each mile to specific intentions related to the priesthood. These included prayers for each seminarian in his archdiocese, Father Linebach, Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre, priests who have influenced him, and an increase in vocations.

Wells finished 449th out of over 32,000 participants with a personal record time of 2:35:20. This marked only his second marathon; he qualified for Boston after finishing sixth at Cincinnati's Flying Pig Marathon in May 2024.

Running has been part of Wells' life since elementary school and continued through college at Western Kentucky University. It provided stability during times when faith was not central to him. "The Lord used it to prepare me" for seminary life, he remarked.

After a two-year break from running before entering seminary at Mount St. Mary's Seminary of the West in Cincinnati, Wells resumed training despite a demanding schedule that starts early and ends late each day.

Balancing seminary responsibilities with marathon training requires intentional time management. However, Wells prioritizes his path toward priesthood above all else. He plans to run another marathon in the fall if his schedule permits.

"My prayer right now is, 'If this is something you want me doing, bless it,'" Wells stated.