A formation of faith
by Nathaniel Miller
The change of heart for Brother Chicago Schuller, S.M. (B.B.A. ’20), came during a human resources course.
As an undergraduate at St. Mary’s University pursuing a degree in Marketing, Schuller had his career planned out — the School of Law after graduation and then a life of government service in Washington, D.C.
The discussion that day in class made him rethink his priorities. The topic: how people spend more time with their coworkers than with their families.
Due to a change in the political climate, Schuller began thinking political work was not for him.
“At the time, my morals and what was going on in the government were not lining up,” Schuller said. “If your job’s values don’t align with yours, you’re going to wind up getting either burned out or doing something that you regret in the future, and I didn’t want that for my life.”
Self-reflection, continued participation in University Ministry, and a moment of religious clarity during campus Mass helped Schuller realize he could still serve his community on a different path. Instead of helping craft laws, he would spread God’s message by joining the Marianists.
Taking his professed vows in June 2024 Schuller now works with campus ministry and institutional advancement at St. John Vianney High School in St. Louis.
“To refuse Mary her service is one of the greatest sins, and I want to live my religious life never refusing Mary,” he said.
The Road to Brotherhood
From the moment he arrived at St. Mary’s for Sleeping Bag Weekend from his hometown in Mission, Schuller knew the University was where he wanted to go.
The event, designed to give high school seniors a taste of college life on campus, was the first step in helping Schuller form his connection to the University community.
It wasn’t long into his first year when he found himself leaving earlier for class just to arrive on time because of all the friends he would see along the way.
“I’m walking to class with my friends, and they would say, ‘If you stop and talk to another person that you know, we’re not going to get to class on time,’ ” he said.
Taking advantage of all St. Mary’s had to offer, Schuller joined the Chapel Choir and Student Government Association, worked with University Ministry and became an altar server.
Brother Chicago Schuller, S.M.“I met so many people who helped me learn to be who God was calling me to be. Without those relationships, St. Mary’s would have been just another school.”
Participating in Casa Tuesday, where students would visit with the Marianists at Casa Maria, allowed Schuller to continue growing in his faith.
Schuller developed a connection with the Rev. Jim Tobin, S.M., Chaplain of the Greehey School of Business. After each confession, Tobin reminded him he was worthy of God’s love.
“Here at St. Mary’s, we share our Catholic and Marianist message with all students, and sometimes it happens through the community experience. Chicago was open to that,” Tobin said.
One day during Mass in Assumption Chapel, Schuller had an experience during the Words of Consecration, during which he described watching everything fade away.
“It was just the priest at the altar with Jesus and the host,” Schuller said. “I couldn’t shake that experience.”
Joining the Marianists in August 2020, Schuller spent four years going through the aspirant and novice process, a longer than usual process due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
At 26 years old, he sees a future dedicated to continuing his growth in his faith.
“I met so many people who helped me learn to be who God was calling me to be,” Schuller said. “Without those relationships, St. Mary’s would have been just another school.”
