Journal 1 — Week of 8/21–8/25
Hi everyone, my name is Alex White and I’m a student in the Echo program. I am in my second year teaching theology to juniors and seniors at Cardinal Ritter High School in Indianapolis.
I love all sorts of things. I play the piano in my free time. I enjoy playing all sports, especially ultimate frisbee, soccer, and basketball. I recently got on a Hamilton kick. One of my dreams is to write a mixtape of the saga-event of Vatican II in the style of Hamilton. I like to write poetry and rap.
I’m also a nerd in a lot of real ways. I love Magic the Gathering, board games (principal among them are Settlers of Catan, Ticket to Ride, and Loaded Questions), and Super Smash Brothers. Card games, campfires, and hot tubs are some of my favorite things.

I’m from Fayetteville, West Virginia — America’s coolest small town. It’s famous for its massive bridge. There are tons of stupendous activities out of the doors, like kayaking, rafting, rappelling, climbing, camping, hiking, etc.
I studied theology and Italian in undergrad at Notre Dame. My family is of Italian descent, so I was raised with pizza and pasta as staples of a healthy and happy diet.
My family’s propensity for loud noises and red sauce led me to study abroad in Bologna, Italy for a while. I fell in love with Renaissance art and gelato. They love me back.
Nuptial mystery is about to be a fascinating course. There is so much about marriage that is misunderstood in the cultural eye.
Based on my personal experience teaching a sacraments course in a Catholic high school, students misunderstand holy matrimony even more than the Eucharist! I can teach them transubstantiation, the difference between accidents and substance, and real presence. But the reason marriage is reserved for solely one man and one woman — now that’s confusing for them. No wonder they call it the Nuptial mystery! (Couldn’t resist the pun. I don’t regret it).
I feel as though studying marriage is one of the most practical subjects to focus on in the modern age. I’m not sure whether I’m called to family life or to ordained/consecrated life, but no matter which path God opens to me, a thorough understanding of marriage is vital for ministry. Whether it’s explaining it to a congregation or working through the intricacies of the marriage bond with my spouse, a thorough comprehension of marriage will allow me to be a better man for others.
I’m especially interested to acquire a deeper understanding of marriage so that I can pastorally talk to someone about why they should practice celibacy before marriage and why they should avoid contraception during the marriage. These are questions that I feel like I can’t compellingly answer right now.
I can’t wait to learn more about this, both for my own mastery of the sacrament, as well as my ability to explain it in a new way for my students. Looking forward to it all!