The Rev. Gregory Plow, T.O.R., is often recognizable at a distance on campus by his black hooded cape. The cape, he explains, used to be given to each friar automatically once they were ordained. Today that is no longer the case. However, he received the cape from an older friar who had worn it for about 50 years.
    He said a Franciscan sister was kind enough to attend to some stitching. Since Fr. Gregory is a North Carolina native and probably not very accustomed to the brisk winter winds of Steubenville, Ohio, the famous cape provides him some warm shelter (All you California students, take heed!).
    It was at the University of North Carolina Wilmington that Fr. Gregory completed his undergraduate education and initially began seeking his vocation. Although he was in a serious relationship at the time, God seems to have used this relationship to ultimately guide him toward his religious vocation.
    Fr. Gregory explained that at the time he had reasoned if he were to get married he wanted it to be because of God and therefore felt compelled to explore all the options available for a God-centered life, thus opening doors to the religious life.
    Unlike here at Franciscan University where students constantly exposed to helpful materials regarding discernment and vocations, Fr. Gregory discovered the “identity of a vocation” through much independent reading and research. He then continued to discern for the next four years, from the ages of 21 to 25, after college while teaching high school math.
    In fact, he visited between eight and 10 different communities, which he adds is “a lot” and a bit “uncommon.” It wasn’t until a visit with the Missionaries of Charity in Tijuana, Mexico that Fr. Gregory says he heard God’s “exterior voice” calling him to “go look Franciscan.”
    Fr. Gregory was immediately impressed by the young, zealous men of the Franciscan Friars, T.O.R. During the visit, he says he could picture himself “growing spiritually” with them in the future and that the charisms of the order such as continuous conversion, contemplation, poverty, penance and fraternity were also particularly inviting to him.
    After four years of study in Washington, D.C., Fr. Gregory was ordained in 2007 and placed here at Franciscan University of Steubenville.
    He shared his gratitude for being in such a “rich sacramental and educational environment.” However, he warned that is very easy for the people on campus - including himself - to take all that they have for granted. As a result, he is very active and dedicated to many different facets of campus life here at Franciscan.
    Fr. Gregory is a very busy man on campus. He is the assistant household coordinator as well as the chaplain for both men’s and women’s cross country and track and field teams. Of course, he also has his priestly duties such as celebrating Mass, hearing confessions and giving spiritual advising for students. On top of it all, he is also currently pursuing his master’s in education administration here.
    Besides handling such important tasks, Fr. Gregory always makes time for the many students who stop by his office - one of his favorite perks of having an office located in a student dormitory. His open door policy is extremely welcoming and inviting; not to mention the fact that his couch is very comfortable. Students can often be found in his office, which is in St. Thomas More Hall, seeking spiritual advice, simply hanging out or just stopping by to say a quick “Hello” and chat between classes. In fact, during the interview a neatly folded note was slipped under his office door.
    Fr. Gregory smiled warmly and identified the friendly culprits, explaining that a few girls usually stop by around this particular time to say “Hi” before heading off to class. This young and vibrant priest truly enjoys being able to interact with the students on a day-to-day basis throughout the week.
Every so often the track chaplain manages to slip into his own running sneakers. In fact, Fr. Gregory has already run two Marine Corps marathons and can be seen training for the upcoming Pittsburgh Marathon. However, he most likely will not be wearing his black cape as he speedily runs down the city streets, although that would give off a rather nice “super-priest” effect to his competitors. For Fr. Gregory Plow, T.O.R., truly is a “super priest” here on campus at Franciscan University.