Matthew Pierson honored with "Pax Christi" award

May 30, 2025

Every year the Dowling senior class votes on the Pax Christi ("Peace of Christ") award, given to a student who has a commitment to Christian faith, service, and participates in the life and spirit of Dowling Catholic High School. This student is then the speaker at the graduation ceremony. The 2025 winner of this award was Matthew Pierson.

Good evening, my name is Matthew Pierson, and I am a member of the graduating class of 2025. The last four years have been quite the epic journey, just think how much we have changed since our freshman year. As a freshman, I found myself lost and confused, without knowing where to turn. I watched as my older siblings figured out their lives, while I struggled to find my own purpose. I wanted to truly make an impact on those around me, but I didn’t know how. That is what I took with me going into our freshman retreat. At the retreat we were challenged to write a letter to our senior selves pondering what our lives would look like four years into the future. Despite feeling tempted to write a joke letter saying I hope I didn’t fail class, I decided to write down what I was truly thinking.

So, I wrote:

“Dear Senior self: How far have you come? Right now, as a senior, where are you? There are a few things I hope I did through my years at Dowling. First, where are you with God? Have I gained a true, personal connection with God? Have I spent extra time trying to connect with God? Second, what’s my purpose and who am I? I’m honestly lost as a freshman and hopefully I have a plan for the future, and more importantly, found myself.” Little did he know what was coming his way. “Finally, did I make a difference? Did I truly do something that changed someone else’s life for the better?”

Looking back, I had been asking myself the right questions, but I had been looking at the wrong places to find the answers. I had been looking towards the culture, assuming that it would lead me to a joyful and fulfilling life. However, not only did I not find anything fulfilling, I had found myself feeling more empty than ever. This was when, out of desperation, I decided to turn to my faith. While I knew a lot about God thanks to my Catholic education, never had I taken the opportunity to actually get to know God, and form a relationship with Him. So, I decided to start attending PrimeTime Mass. It was there, thanks to the constant encounter with the Eucharist, that I couldn’t help but be drawn closer to Him. Almost immediately, I saw a transformation take place in my life. Now, instead of having to force myself into good habits like going to Mass, I actively sought opportunities to grow in my faith. I felt an incredible love for God that I had never felt before. It was then, just weeks after I had written that letter for my future self, that my life changed.

My family and I were taking a trip to Washington DC to visit my best friend, my brother George. In DC lies The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, or in short, one of the most beautiful basilicas on Earth. While we were praying before Mass that Saturday evening, I found myself pondering the beautiful artwork that surrounded us. Finally, I decided to look up, where, next to a depiction of The Trinity reads, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive honor and riches.” Reading that, I felt my heart bursting in love and awe of God. Kneeling down, I begged God that just as Christ had given his life over for us, I wanted to give my life back to him.

Well, that night I had a dream, where I was consecrating the Eucharist at a Mass. After waking up from this, I initially didn’t think much of it, ignored it, and went back to sleep. However, as I returned to Dowling the next week, I noticed something strange. Thoughts of the priesthood came in my head, and I couldn’t shake them. As each day moved through that week, the thoughts only intensified. It quickly got to a point where I couldn’t even focus during class, sorry teachers! Finally, that Friday I made a very simple prayer before the start of PrimeTime Mass, “God, if you want me to take this seriously, please give me some sign”. Immediately following Mass, then Chaplain Fr. Ryan Andrew called me over. I was already surprised because I didn’t realize he even knew my name, but he said “Hey, I know this is kind of random, but have you ever thought about joining seminary after high school, I think you’d be a good fit for it”. There, there was the sign. I, a completely random 14 year old freshman, just had his life transformed. I was overcome with incredible joy, and finally felt a glimpse of fulfillment that I hadn’t felt before. This started my joyful discernment journey that has time and time again brought me peace as I look forward to starting seminary in the fall.

Today, I want to challenge all of you to ask the same question that I asked myself, “What if I gave Him a chance?” because I promise you, even if you give God just a little bit, He will give you His everything. Even if you feel God has failed you before, or even if you think that the whole faith thing isn’t for you, just give Him one more chance. Think you’re too far gone, and there is no going back, just look at some of the greatest saints in the Church. Peter denied Christ three times before going on to lead the Catholic Church. Paul had dedicated his life to killing off the early Christians before becoming one of the most influential Christians of all time. If they were called to be saints, then just imagine how much you are called to be a saint.

So, you are going to give Him a chance, but what now? This was exactly what I asked myself as I moved on from my freshman year. That was when I remembered the advice given to our class during our freshman retreat. While everyone tries to say you have to choose between your passions, or God, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. God wants to meet you through who and what you love. For me, that meant embracing team prayer before the start of a cross country race, or praying a Hail Mary before it was my turn to speak in Speech and Debate, or asking for as many saints to intercede as possible before Mr. Pauly could finish handing out his test. By simply incorporating prayer into my schedule through these simple moments, I felt I could find God’s presence even in my most challenging moments.

Here, as we celebrate the graduation of the class of 2025, I challenge you, students, parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, teachers and friends: find God in everything you love. Remember, God is the source of all that is good, true, and beautiful. So, wherever you find something that is good, true, and beautiful, you will find God there. Find those little opportunities where you can invite God into your day, because it is those moments that will transform your life.

It is no secret that the culture we live in is toxic. There are countless temptations that already surround us, and countless more that will come. If you don’t want to listen to me, listen to your parents, if not them, then listen to your teachers, if not them, then even our own culture will warn you. Even country artist Morgan Wallen in one of his newest songs, Genesis, says “I do good for a second then I can’t help myself. (The devil) makes it look like Heaven ‘til I end up in Hell. From the time I wake up to the time I lay down it’s the devil’s playground everywhere that I look.” In a world full of distractions, arm yourself with Christ now so you are ready for battle not if, but when it comes. Whenever you find yourself surrounded, remember you have an army of friends, family, saints, angels, and most importantly, Christ who is ready to fight for you.

So, everyone gathered here today, if we truly believe everything He said, then why wait any longer? If you feel stuck in life, looking for more adventure and more out of life, why wait any longer? If you truly want to make a difference in this world, then why wait any longer? Christ is waiting for you to say yes to Him, so that He can transform your life. I beg all of you today, give Him just one chance, and I promise you, He will not disappoint you. Thank you, and God bless.