Dillon Stull

Dillon Stull

Fourth-Year Medical Student, Stanford Medical School

“The Catholic Community at Stanford has been essential for helping me develop ways of praying that allow me to discern Jesus’ faithful presence in my studies and training.”

One of my first memories of Stanford was over a cup of coffee with Lourdes: a prospective student with anxieties about my impending medical school decision, I found consolation in her attentiveness to my story. She encouraged me to see our Lord acting in and through my interactions with my prospective classmates and professors, wherever I would decide to go. In many ways, this has been the theme of my Stanford experience.

I lived on campus during my first two years of medical school. The availability of daily and Sunday Mass transformed my experience of Stanford’s campus. The priests made themselves available for Reconciliation or spiritual direction at any time. Through their ministry, I felt that Christ was near.

Some Catholic friends and I used to meet every morning before class for Morning Prayer. Fr. Xavier eagerly supplied any resource we lacked, even bringing us breviaries and musical notation for the Liturgy of the Hours. At the time, I was also helping to lead the ecumenical “Christian Fellowship” Bible study for medical students. Lourdes and the priests invited me to receive leadership training to better equip me for this role. My friendships in the medical school grew, and I even saw a few friends received into the Catholic Church. These resources from the Catholic Community at Stanford helped me immensely and encouraged me to be a leader for my Christian brothers and sisters in the medical school.

Two years ago, I moved off campus with several of the Catholic men from our morning prayer group. Never have I experienced such a vital season of spiritual growth as this one. Living in community with other graduate students from the Catholic Community at Stanford has tempered, challenged, and encouraged me. Fr. Bob has generously and diligently devoted himself to the spiritual growth of each member of our house and to the health of the community at large. His fatherly presence has brought joy, consolation, tenderness, and normalcy (something that we still need quite a dose of) to our house. In spiritual direction this year, at just the right time, Fr. Bob led me through the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, taking me to a deeper knowledge of God and of myself. At his encouragement, I also started and continue to lead a men’s small faith sharing group for male graduate students and young professionals, which has helped me especially to see Christ in my work and studies.