Looking Back On The Past Seven Years
It’s been almost seven years since the notion of becoming a priest established itself firmly in my heart. The idea had occurred to me every once in a while before, but I had never given it the consideration it was due. Six years ago, I entered seminary. I had some significant concerns about being a 40-something seminarian in an institution filled with a bunch of 20-something guys. I needn’t have worried. Yes, some of the seminarians were young, but I discovered that there were quite a few men there who were 30-something. I found out that I wasn’t the oldest guy there—never have been.
I had plenty of my own issues to work on—some of them a product of my age, some not. Most from a life misspent or, at least, lacking in virtue. It was the same for all of the other seminarians. Theirs weren’t the same as mine; they had their own from their individual walks of life. It didn’t take long for me to begin to forget the age differences in the seminary. Frankly, the reminders mostly occurred when I saw a photo of me and other seminarians. I’d see the gray-headed guy and wonder who the geezer was. It was always me. But I wasn’t the only one!
Honestly, one cannot go to seminary and not notice the vast differences among the men there. Some quiet, some loud. Some extroverts, some introverts. Young and old; funny and serious; brilliant and not-as-brilliant. If such a staggeringly diverse group of seminarians comes together to discern priesthood, then it becomes obvious that God is the reason. Only He could put together such a motley crew with the idea of them serving the Church.
I can’t wait to join our presbyterate and to minister in parishes. Something gives me pause, though: We need more seminarians to join the terrific men we have discerning right now. If God does indeed call all sorts of guys to the priesthood (and He does!), then it makes sense that there must be at least one vocation in every parish in the diocese. That means we would have a minimum of forty-five seminarians. What if each parish had two? I intend to commit myself to finding that vocation in every parish I work. My prayer is that each of you will do the same.
