I recognized the Lord’s invitation to priesthood through the encouragement and example of priests throughout my life. I remember being amazed by the priesthood as an elementary school student. At the altar was someone who had given up so much to serve the Church, to make Christ and His love truly present to us. This level of devotion and sacrifice felt unattainable, especially knowing my faults. I attended two Quo Vadis Days retreats in high school, but still doubted whether I could live up to the role. As I met more priests, however, their commitment to their flocks and their unabashed love for Jesus Christ inspired me. Their example proved that a vocation was not a typical job; these men were called by the Lord for their ministry.
My faith was tested and strengthened in college. I knew I not only wanted to be Catholic, but to serve the Church in some substantive way. Faithful friends encouraged me to serve as a sacristan and help with Eucharistic adoration. The diversity of priests I met there amazed me and made my own call more realistic. Men of different generations and various backgrounds were working in the same vineyard for the salvation of souls.
After graduation, I spent a year serving those in need of food and housing in Pennsylvania and saw the Lord at work in situations that seemed especially dire. I recognized that the Lord was asking me to completely abandon my own ambitions and worldly goods. A friend gave me a set of the Liturgy of the Hours, which, along with Mass, enriched my spiritual life. Praying the Psalms allowed me to express what I was feeling when I did not know what to say.
At the end of one confession during Lent, the priest asked if anything else was on my heart. I told him I wanted to more intentionally discern my attraction to the priesthood. He provided me with counsel and gave helpful spiritual direction. Returning to Oregon, I discerned with a community of religious life, but the Lord tugged at my heart in a different way.
Especially after receiving Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, I felt a deep attraction towards being physically present to the Church in the sacramental life of its diocesan parishes. With gratitude I remembered all the priests who had enabled me to receive the sacraments and gave their time to help me grow closer to Jesus Christ. Psalm 116:12-13 especially spoke to me: What shall I render to the Lord for all his bounty to me? I will lift up the chalice of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.” My pastor helped answer many questions about seminary and priestly life and gave me a wonderful example of spiritual fatherhood. Participating in a variety of parish ministries also gave me further confidence to answer God’s call.