Veteran to priest is not the customary route of post military service, but for Danny Herman it was his military background that shaped his call then and now.
Fr. Danny Herman in his Naval Aviator uniform (photo credit: Fr. Danny Herman)
Father Danny Herman completed three intense years in the Navy’s flight school training to become a naval aviator. He was months away from “earning his wings” when he realized there was a deeper purpose awaiting him. Answering a spiritual call, Fr. Herman left behind his naval aviation career and embarked on a new journey—joining the seminary.
Raised in a strong faith community by his mother, Lucia Herman, the family made sure that prayer was part of their daily lives. He was ordained at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Diocese of Knoxville, Tennessee. Fr. Herman’s path to priesthood was made possible by the support of Catholic Extension Society, which funded his seminarian education and helped build the church his mother co-founded when he was a child.
Today, Fr. Herman is the associate pastor at The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral Parish in Knoxville, where he serves his congregation with unwavering faith and compassion. His military background continues to shape his ministry, and he holds a special appreciation for service members and their families.
Catholic Extension’s full story on Fr. Herman can be found here.
Information for this story credited to the Catholic Extension Society.
