About the Salesians / Steven DeMaio

My name is Steven Joseph DeMaio and I am 25 years old from Sherman, Connecticut. I have 2 sisters, Melanie (35) and Erika (23). My parents are married, living in Connecticut, and are still faithful to the Catholic Church. I received my baptism, communion, and confirmation in the same small church (Holy Trinity), providing the necessary foundation for my life.

Steve Demaio

My freshman year at James Madison University I met an amazing priest, Father John, who was the campus minister at the time. His sermons helped me through a very difficult time in my life. He left after my freshman year and I slowly drifted away from the Church and my faith throughout college and the years following until I was blessed with the opportunity to spend six months in Lusaka, Zambia with the Salesian Sisters.

I lived in Spain for one year teaching English and volunteering for a non-profit organization which at the end of that year offered to pay for my flight to Zambia where I would help finish a sports project for the Sisters. It was at the City of Hope where I was given the time and structure to contemplate my life and what I wanted to do with it all. I was instantly drawn to the Salesian Spirituality and their passion for life and the youth. At the end of the six months I knew I was changed and that I had a lot of thinking to do.

The next six months after returning, I spent in Bayonne, New Jersey working for my father and returning to the Catholic faith. I received spiritual guidance from Father Paul of St. Andrew’s Parish who helped immensely in my religious discernment. After visiting a talk by Mathew Kelly and a month or two of serious prayer, I made the leap of faith in February of 2010. I am now a Pre-novice in the Salesian Formation and looking forward to a beautiful year of personal growth and a strengthening of my vocation.

Steve's room clearly illustrates the importance in balance of life between studies and play.

Steve makes it a point to keep his focus nearby at all times.

Steve in the classroom.

Outside the classroom Steve enjoys spending time in the music studio writing and mixing songs.