Meet Dcn. Andrew Smith, a transitional deacon for the Archdiocese of Detroit (Home parish: St. Peter Parish, Mount Clemens), who will be ordained a priest later this year.
What was the highlight of your time at Sacred Heart Major Seminary?
On my path to the priesthood, the most significant event of my time at Sacred Heart was the 30-day Silent Retreat in Broomtree, South Dakota. For me this was a time to both deepen my relationship with God and allow him to reveal his plan for my future. It really is amazing how much God speaks in silence when we slow down and make room for Him to speak. This retreat confirmed for me that God was calling me to the priesthood and taught me to embrace God and prayer in a new way.
What has been one or two highlights of your time serving as a transitional deacon?
I would say that two of the highlights of my time as a transitional deacon have been preaching and baptisms. Preaching has become something I truly love, especially the preparation process where I never know at the beginning how God is going to direct the homily. Baptisms have been a highlight, and I have been able to celebrate several during my time at the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica. Two of the most significant were my first baptism — which was for my cousin's son — and baptizing the children of two high school classmates at my home parish.
How are you preparing for your priestly ordination?
The main way I have been preparing is through prayer. In addition to the regular holy hours and prayers I say, I recently completed the retreat required by canon law for all candidates for ordination. This retreat was a time of intense prayer and focus on more deeply understanding what it means to be a priest and what I will be receiving at ordination. I have also been praying with the prayers the priest says at Mass to be better prepared to lead the people at Mass and pray through the Mass myself.
What kind of priest do you want to be?
I want to be a priest who has a shepherd's heart for his people — one who is known to love his people and is willing to sacrifice to lead them closer to God. I want to be the kind of priest whose people know that he is always there for them and available when they need him, in times of joy and in times of sorrow. Above all, though, I want to be known as a holy priest, one who people see as a man of prayer. This is one of the greatest witnesses a priest can give to his people.
What are you looking forward to after being ordained?
After ordination, the two things I am most looking forward to are offering Mass and hearing confessions. The Mass is the highest form of prayer we have and to be able to offer that prayer to God is the greatest act a priest can do. And being able to be an instrument of God's mercy in the sacrament of confession, offering to others the healing I have received so many times myself, will be a great joy. Saying Mass and offering confession are the two most important things a priest can do, and I look forward to both with great excitement.
Please join us in praying for Deacon Andrew Smith during his final months of preparation leading up to his ordination.