A Gentle Whisper, "Be My Priest"

I grew up in a Catholic home and went to Catholic school. However, I had never really thought about the priesthood. Occasionally, an elderly woman at church would come up to me, pinch my cheeks, and say, "You'd make such a great priest." But I never took them seriously.

I now realize I had always prayed to know the Lord's will in my lifebut I never prayed for the courage to accept it. I can see now the many ways in which God has worked. I can see how my faith and family growing up and my high school youth minister, Pat O'Hara, were so instrumental in my being open to God's call.

But it was God's gentle whisper, "Be my priest," that altered my life. I was a freshman at the University of Detroit Mercy. I was journaling as part of my Lenten prayer, and I felt God pull at my heart. At first, I thought, "No way!" I was studying psychology and planned on pursuing my doctorate degree in clinical psychology.

However, those were my plans and not the Lord's.

Fr. Mario Amore, while he was still in seminary, knew I was discerning and sent me the book To Save a Thousand Souls, by Fr. Brett Brannen. It opened up my mind more to the possibility of the priesthood. I guess it was that small crack in the door the Lord needed to toss in the seeds and watch them grow. I started going to daily Mass as much as possible at the university chapel. I got to know several of the Jesuit priests on campus. The example of so many happy priests was formative for me, especially Fr. Si Hendry, SJ.

I then added a second major of religious studies and a certificate in Catholic studies. I wanted to know as much about the Faith as I could. As I approached senior year of college, I had to make a decisiongo to graduate school or explore this call from God. I knew that if I did not investigate what I thought Lord was calling me to, the priesthood, I would always ask, "What if?"

During the same time I was deepening my discernment, I took as a position as the youth minister at my home parish, St. Cyprian in Riverview. My pastor, Fr. Bill Promesso, was a tremendous support. He helped me to understand what it takes to be a great pastor.

With his help and after a great amount of prayer, I entered Sacred Heart in the fall of 2013. Since entering seminary, I have never been happier. The priests here have shown me what it is like to be a Christian man of prayer, a man unreservedly dedicated to the Lord and to the Church. The People of God deserve holy priests!

And that is all I want to be: a holy priest. I want to bring people to Christ and show them his transforming love. It took me a long time to accept God's will for me. I look forward to the amazing journey he wants to take me on.