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(https://nypost.com/lifestyle/) Lifestyle  exclusive   NJ teen set on priesthood had vision of Virgin Mary before his tumor miraculously shrank  By (https://nypost.com/author/angela-barbuti/) Angela Barbuti    Published  Sep. 5, 2026, 8:56 a.m. ET            ()    See more of our coverage in your search results.  (https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=nypost.com)       Add The New York Post on Google   While most 4-year-olds were speaking to Elmo, Lil’ Dominic Auricchio was talking to the man upstairs. “I had a dream and God came to me,” the now 13-year-old recalled to The Post. “He told me to be a priest, and then I went into my mom’s bedroom . . . it was the middle of the night . . . and ever since then I’ve wanted to become a priest,” he said. The rising eighth-grader at Holy Trinity School in Westfield, NJ, has kept his commitment to the cloth — alongside other aspirations. (index.html#) (Open a slideshow of all 5 article images.) (Dominic Auricchio smiling and holding his Cardinal Joseph Tobin Award for Priestly Vocations.)  5     Dominic Auricchio won the prestigious Cardinal Joseph Tobin Essay & Video Contest, with his entry about his divine encounters and how they inspired him to become a priest. Archdiocese of Newark   “He came home one day and said, ‘I think I’m gonna be the first priest astronaut,'” his mom Maria recalled.  “It’s now priest slash Marine. I want to become a Marine first and then join the priesthood,” said Dominic, whose father, Neal, is a Marine who served two tours in Iraq and was awarded the Purple Heart. Dominic began suffering from headaches in December 2022, and an MRI revealed a large mass on his brain. Explore More  (https://nypost.com/2026/09/05/lifestyle/americas-best-food-town-is-a-seaside-jewel-2-5-hours-from-nyc/) (An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows The Treehouse at the Oyster Club in Mystic, Connecticut, Image 2 shows View through a bakery window at night, showing people dining inside, Image 3 shows Nightlife on a street in downtown Mystic, Connecticut)    (https://nypost.com/2026/09/05/lifestyle/americas-best-food-town-is-a-seaside-jewel-2-5-hours-from-nyc/) America’s best food town is a seafood lover’s paradise and an easy drive from NYC      (https://nypost.com/2026/09/03/lifestyle/squeezy-dumplings-toys-recalled-following-rash-of-injuries/) (Popular squishy toys have been recalled due to concerns that the beads they contain could pose health hazards.)    (https://nypost.com/2026/09/03/lifestyle/squeezy-dumplings-toys-recalled-following-rash-of-injuries/) Popular squishy toy recalled over ‘serious injury’ hazard after months of child hospitalizations      (https://nypost.com/2026/09/04/lifestyle/younger-generations-are-losing-this-crucial-driving-skill/) (An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Young woman driving an older model small pickup truck with her hand on the manual gearshift, Image 2 shows A young man carefully reverses a car during a driving lesson with an instructor on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026)    (https://nypost.com/2026/09/04/lifestyle/younger-generations-are-losing-this-crucial-driving-skill/) Gen Z has lost this crucial driving skill that Boomers learned early – ‘It takes more brain power’            “He went on medications and we were debating on what we were going to do. We didn’t want obviously to do surgery if we didn’t have to . . . because of where it was, they would have had to cut into bone,” Maria said. Months later, in May 2023, Dominic said the Virgin Mary appeared in his bedroom to assure him he’d recover. “She was dressed just like we imagine her . . . and she told me that everything would be OK,” said Dominic. (index.html#) (Open a slideshow of all 5 article images.) (Dominic Auricchio smiling in a hospital bed with a bandage wrapped around his head.)  5     Dominic was in the hospital recovering from his fifth seizure when he heard about the archdiocese’s essay contest. Courtesy of Archdiocese of Newark   That June Dominic had a CAT scan, and “they called me and said, ‘There’s no reason to move forward with the surgery,’ and now it’s like nothing,” Maria said. “Now, when he has an MRI, it appears as just a very small blip.”  Throughout the harrowing health scare, Dominic remained a devout Catholic and was “praying non-stop,” he said. On the ride home from school one afternoon after the diagnosis, Maria heard her son talking to God in the backseat. “He’s just going, ‘I’m just too young to die’ . . . very like matter of fact and calm,” she recalled. (index.html#) (Open a slideshow of all 5 article images.) (A young boy holding a crucifix, surrounded by a Bible, rosary beads, and other religious items.)  5     One Christmas, Dominic asked for religious objects blessed by Pope Francis. Archdiocese of Newark   The teen serves as an altar boy at St. Helen’s Church and as a buddy to an autistic girl at the parish’s inclusive Masses. “There’s people with disabilities who can’t sit through a regular Mass . . . Everyone’s given a buddy to sit with. I feel closer to God every time I do that,” he said. Maria, whose three sons are all altar servers, said the family attends different masses on Sunday, depending on their sports schedules. “Or they’ll just miss the sports for it. I’m just honest with the coaches that we have church,” she said. (index.html#) (Open a slideshow of all 5 article images.) (Dominic and Vincenzo serve as altar servers in a church, holding tall candles, with stained glass windows in the background.)  5     Dominic Auricchio and his older brother, Vincenzo, serving as altar servers at St. Helen’s in Westwood, NJ. Archdiocese of Newark   Dominic was this year’s winner of the Cardinal Joseph Tobin Essay and Video Contest, sponsored by the (https://nypost.com/2022/08/20/new-jersey-father-and-son-make-church-history/) Archdiocese of Newark . In the video, he talks about his love for his parents, brothers and hockey like a typical teenager, but then reveals his religious visions — and calling to the priesthood.  “Priesthood is a life of service, sacrifice and joy, centered on Jesus,” he says. “I trust that God is guiding me step by step. And I hope to answer his call one day.” (index.html#) (Open a slideshow of all 5 article images.) (Father Patrick Seo, Father George Joseph, Dominic Auricchio, Maria Auricchio, Maximo Auricchio, Neal Auricchio, and Vincenzo Auricchio standing together.)  5     Dominic was awarded a plaque and $1,500 for his award-winning essay and video. Archdiocese of Newark   He also talks about the letter he wrote to (https://nypost.com/2025/01/11/world-news/biden-names-pope-francis-as-a-recipient-of-the-presidential-medal-of-freedom/) Pope Francis when he was in fifth grade, asking for blessed items. “I received a military Bible, holy water, and a crucifix; they were blessed by The Pope. I was really excited that morning,” he told The Post. His winning video also mentioned how his medical issues, including suffering from seizures, whose causes are still unknown, have given him empathy for others.  “These experiences have helped me understand how other people feel when they are scared or hurting. I want to be someone who brings comfort and hope.” (Video)       Dominic was actually in the hospital in March, recovering from the fifth seizure he’s had since December, when he heard about the contest, in which 49 seventh graders from the (https://nypost.com/2025/01/11/us-news/njs-deacon-elvis-gets-churchgoers-all-shook-up/) Archdiocese of Newark’s 64 Catholic schools competed. “It was probably my worst seizure because I had to stay in the hospital for six days lying in a bed,” said Dominic, who was awarded a plaque and $1,500 for his award-winning essay and video.  He said he stays faithful despite his medical issues because he knows “God is always working in his own ways. “Even if something bad happens, it’s part of his plan, so you just have to go with it.” .  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Dominic Auricchio won the prestigious Cardinal Joseph Tobin Essay & Video Contest, with his entry about his divine encounters and how they inspired him to become a priest. Archdiocese of Newark   (Dominic Auricchio smiling in a hospital bed with a bandage wrapped around his head.)   Dominic was in the hospital recovering from his fifth seizure when he heard about the archdiocese's essay contest. Courtesy of Archdiocese of Newark   (A young boy holding a crucifix, surrounded by a Bible, rosary beads, and other religious items.)   One Christmas, Dominic asked for religious objects blessed by Pope Francis. Archdiocese of Newark   (Dominic and Vincenzo serve as altar servers in a church, holding tall candles, with stained glass windows in the background.)   Dominic Auricchio and his older brother, Vincenzo, serving as altar servers at St. Helen's in Westwood, NJ. Archdiocese of Newark   (Father Patrick Seo, Father George Joseph, Dominic Auricchio, Maria Auricchio, Maximo Auricchio, Neal Auricchio, and Vincenzo Auricchio standing together.)   Dominic was awarded a plaque and $1,500 for his award-winning essay and video. 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