Conversations with Daniel: Jesse Iamarino

This article is part of a series of interviews of members of the Ablaze community conducted by Ablaze participant Dan Micinski. Today’s interviewee is Ablaze Mission’s Assistant Mission Director, Jesse Iamarino. Jesse joined Ablaze in early August 2024 and has led Bible Studies, organized retreats, written Scripture reflections, and co-led the Alive Series, among other things. This interview was conducted in December 2025.

What would you say personally keeps you connected to God? For example, Holy Hour or a sense of community?

I think my life of daily prayer since college has really been what’s kept me connected. Even in the midst of challenges, trials, or struggles in faith, or in understanding His mercy, it has always been that daily time in prayer. Holy Hour and daily Mass have been consistent for me since I was a freshman in college. Even through COVID, I would watch Mass and Adoration digitally. It wasn’t quite the same, but even then, it was a staple for me.

Where would you say you feel closest to God? For example, Adoration or walking in nature?

I think it would probably be Adoration. I’m a very tangible person, so being able to see Him, sit in his presence, and experience his peace is powerful. Another place I experience Him is in service and interacting with other people—whether that’s charity work, giving a talk, leading a small group, or retreats. All of those have been impactful for me, helping me encounter Him by working hand in hand with Him. So, I’d say it’s twofold: Adoration and service.

How do you personally discern where God is calling you—whether vocation, volunteering, etc.?

The biggest thing for me is taking time in prayer—expressing my desires to Him, telling Him what I want, what I’m feeling, and what I’m experiencing. More importantly, I sit back and listen to hear his response. Sometimes it’s encouragement to go in one direction, sometimes it’s more of a command, and sometimes He leaves it up to me. I’ve experienced all of those in discerning jobs. Even coming to Ablaze, He kind of left it up to me. So I sat with Him, then took time to think practically and talk to my spiritual director. That’s how I make major life decisions: bring it to the Lord, express my desires, listen, and then consult with others. I’ve tried to grow in this after the model of St. Joseph. Scripture shows that he prayed, received the message from the Lord, and obeyed—even though his initial reaction was fear. He persevered and chose not to break the betrothal. That’s been a model for me: first go to God, then to others.

Who do you go to in that discernment process (e.g. a priest)?

It’s usually a mix. I give special attention to my spiritual director, who is a deacon. Throughout Church history, there’s been a devotion and attentiveness to spiritual directors. So I talk with him often, especially for major decisions. For smaller ones, maybe not as much. Beyond that, I turn to people who know me well—my mom, dad, and my best friend from college. They’re my biggest sounding boards. I also have other close friends from college who know me well. So it’s situational, but primarily: God, my spiritual director, and then people who’ve known me for a long time.

Who have been some of the most impactful people in your faith life?

The first person who comes to mind is my mom. She had a reversion when I was about one and a half, after her father passed away. He was influential in her journey, and through her, in mine. I was young when he passed, but I’ve always recognized the impact he had. My mom, being a stay-at-home mom, spent more time with me. She led Bible studies and read Scripture to me. Another person was Josh, a youth ministry intern at my parish when I was in middle school. He came to our theology class in eighth grade and talked about the Steubenville conferences at Franciscan University. That was the first time I’d heard of them. I ended up going because of what he shared, and he invested in me spiritually. Having someone closer in age, a male figure willing to invest in me, was huge. Finally, my best friend Michael in college played a big role. He challenged me to live out the faith practically as a young adult man. Sometimes explicitly, sometimes just by example, he called me on. Those three—my mom, Josh, and Michael—were the most influential.

How would you say your relationship with God has changed over the last year?

This past year has been special, especially with the Jubilee year. After grad school, I was tired and burnt out, which affected my spiritual life. I got distracted in prayer and lazy in some disciplines. But stepping into my role with Ablaze, and especially six months in, I settled into the job and into South Bend. That allowed me to return to consistency with the Lord. It’s also been ten years since my reversion at that first Steubenville conference. Seeing how the Lord used 2025, especially the last six months, to draw me deeper into his Sacred Heart has been impactful. He’s shown me my need for Him in challenging ways, but those challenges drew me deeper into his heart. Moving, being busy, and grad school burnout made it hard, but He drew me back into love with Him in a deeper way. This year has been a gift, full of humility and opportunities to see his power in my weakness. As St. Paul says, God’s power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). I’ve experienced that this year.

What are some key areas you want to improve on going forward?

Listening to the Lord. I love to talk—anyone who’s met me knows that. But talking makes it hard to listen. So I want to grow in silence and attentiveness. I also want to grow in appreciation for the history and traditions of the Church—fasting, formation, prayer, Advent practices like the wreath and liturgical seasons. Ultimately, my goal is intimacy with Him. That can take many forms, but I want Him to guide, lead, and be the focus of everything I do, with everything else falling into place after that.

If you were to name two books that were most impactful, what would they be?

First, I Believe in Love by Fr. Jean C. J. d’Elbée. It’s a personal spiritual retreat based on the writings of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. I read it freshman year, and it drew me deeper into his heart, teaching me humility and cooperation with his work. 

Second, the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It’s not usually thought of as a “spiritual journey” book, but it outlines doctrine, history, and Tradition beautifully. It gave me appreciation for how Scripture and Tradition are interwoven. Reading it spiritually, not just academically, was transformative. It’s a fountain of knowledge, only about 30–35 years old in its current form, which is amazing. Studying catechetics in undergrad made it formative academically, but also spiritually. It helped me understand the truths of the Church more deeply.

What advice would you give someone struggling to connect with God?

I often share the same challenge I was given in eighth grade: spend a week praying five minutes a day. In that time, simply say, “Lord, if you’re real, show me.” If prayed sincerely—not just to check a box—He always answers. Whether someone doubts his existence or just forgets his love, that prayer opens the door. I’ve found it fruitful in my life and in the lives of many who’ve taken up the challenge.

Finally, how has Ablaze influenced your relationship with God and your understanding of others’ journeys?

Ablaze plays a big role. It provides opportunities to encounter people in similar stages of life but with diverse challenges. We have young adults in ministry, administration, engineering, teaching, school, even fiber optics. People who wouldn’t otherwise meet gather because of faith. That expresses the reality of the Body of Christ. It’s helped me appreciate Christ Himself more deeply, seeing Him present in others. In school or work, people are united by shared tasks. In Ablaze, the unifying factor is Christ—the most important thing in our lives. That community has shown me the value of Christ-centered fellowship. It’s not just surface-level—like jobs or hobbies—but about people’s stories and relationships with God. Ablaze provides a community that goes to the depths the human heart desires, inclusive of the many expressions of faith in our Church and world. It’s a wonderful gift.

That was beautifully put. Thank you for taking the time to speak with me today.

The Conversations with Daniel blog post series takes its name (in fun) from an element of the Intentional Discipleship Series. If you’re a young adult looking for a faith sharing community and wanting to grow in your own ability to share about your spiritual life or the Good News, consider signing up for the Alive Series, the Intentional Discipleship Series, or joining another of our community offerings!

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Daniel (Dan) Micinski has been involved with Ablaze Mission since 2024 and has participated in the Alive Series, the Intentional Discipleship Series, and the Called & Gifted Workshop. Wanting to grow closer to God, he decided to interview people he admires spiritually to learn from their spiritual journeys. We hope these interviews from our community are a blessing to you as well, on your journey into deeper intimacy with God.