Newark Priest Joins Star-Studded Lineup in Hallow App's Advent Pray25 Challenge

The Hallow app’s Advent Pray25 prayer challenge kicked off on December 2, inviting participants to grow closer to Jesus during Advent. With the theme “For God so loved the world” (John 3:16), the daily podcast-style sessions feature prayers, reflections, stories of love, and spiritual music. Well-known figures, including actor Jonathan Roumie from The Chosen, comedian Kevin James, and music star Gwen Stefani, share their personal faith journeys, making Advent Pray25 an inspiring and star-studded way to prepare for the Lord’s coming.

Father David Santos and his twin brother, Brian, while serving in Iraq. (Photo courtesy of Father David Santos)

However, in the Archdiocese of Newark, the most notable name on the roster is Father David Santos, pastor of Saint James the Apostle Church in Springfield. His powerful story of love and surrender will be featured on Thursday, December 12, the eleventh day of Advent.

Divine providence played a role in bringing Father Santos to Hallow. Content writer Sarah Shutrop first learned about the Army paratrooper-turned-priest when he was featured on Jersey Catholic and ABC News last spring in uplifting Memorial Day stories. Inspired by Father Santos’ transformation from soldier to priest, Shutrop sought to highlight a story of conversion. “The second week of Advent Pray25 focuses on conversion. I wanted to share a story that spoke to how God can transform not just your heart but your entire life,” she explained. “Father David is someone who had everything but surrendered it all to God’s call.”A mutual priest friend in the Archdiocese, where Shutrop coincidentally lives, connected the two. Father Santos eagerly accepted the opportunity to participate. As a longtime Hallow subscriber and advocate for the app in his parish, he hoped his story would inspire others.

When asked what he wanted listeners to take away from his session, Father Santos said, “That God is able to do incredible things in our lives when we least expect it. We just have to be open to it.” He added in a text, “I’m praying that people can draw closer to the Lord by hearing my story.”

The opportunity to reach listeners is significant. As of this writing, more than 810,000 people have signed up for the Advent Pray25 challenge, and the number continues to grow.

Father Santos is one of only three individuals sharing their stories of love in the challenge. His is not the only contribution from the Archdiocese of Newark. On December 19, Darlene Kearns, a parishioner from Bergen County, will share her own faith journey. All the stories, including Father Santos’, are available for free on the Hallow app and at Hallow.com.

Will Father Santos become a Hallow regular? When asked about future collaborations, he chuckled. “Oh, I don’t know! We didn’t talk about that!”

Samantha Cappuccino serves in the Office of Priestly Vocations for the Archdiocese of Newark.