I grew up in Southern California as the oldest of five kids. My family prayed every night, never missed Sunday Mass, and prayed the rosary occasionally. The first time I remember considering the priesthood was in second grade when we were given a career sheet in school. We were asked to write down what we wanted to be when we grew up. I answered, “a priest,” because I wanted to share what I loved about Catholicism and I knew that priests celebrated Mass and the Sacraments. My interest in the priesthood continued to grow as I began altar serving, which became a large factor in my discernment. I was able to get closer to the Mass and understand it more as time went on. I loved the graces of the Mass and wanted to share them with others.
In middle school I started to struggle with more temptations and I believed that I wasn’t worthy of the priesthood. My faith was still very important to me, but I was looking at other careers. Yet, the thought of giving a homily or celebrating Mass kept returning to my mind. I realized that God was trying to show me something, so eventually I began to investigate for more information.
At Eucharistic adoration I asked God which career I should choose. While looking at the priest elevating the host, I clearly heard, “That.” My pastor recommended the book To Save a Thousand Souls. I read inspiring stories of priestly ministry, of serving Christ, and of serving others. Being present for people as a spiritual father was really attractive. I learned that the priesthood is totally separate from a career. It is truly a vocation that some are called to. I continued to meet with Father Gregory from time to time, but it was with that book that I did much of my discernment. There were also little prayer-based discernment tests in the book that seemed to point to my continued discernment of the priesthood in the seminary.
I entered the seminary for another diocese out of high school. Once I arrived, I found out very quickly that the isolated culture of priests in that diocese is not what I am called to. I think my vocation is to a diocesan life in a parish with a community of priests for support. When I learned about the Archdiocese of Portland I grew attached to it. I started listening to the Archbishop’s radio show, “The Voice of the Shepherd,” and I could see that he was leading the priests and his diocese well. I wanted to be formed by and follow him as a priest. I came on the Archbishop’s Discernment Retreat and that was the trigger point. I could see that he cared very much for his seminarians and priests. God willing, I will continue learning, discerning, and be ordained a priest in this Archdiocese. To God be the glory.
Prayer for Our Seminarians
Lord Jesus, as you once called the first disciples to make them fishers of men, let your sweet invitation continue to resound: Come Follow Me! We thank you for the gift of these seminarians called to serve in the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon. Inspire them to imitate You, the Eternal High Priest, in sacrificial service to Your Church. Grant perseverance to our seminarians. Give them the graces they need to one day serve You faithfully as priests. May Your light shine through them to everyone they meet. Mary, Mother of the Church, the model of every vocation, help our seminarians to continue to say “yes” to the Lord who calls us to cooperate in the divine plan of salvation. Amen