Meet Dcn. Michael Selvaraj, a transitional deacon for the Archdiocese of Detroit (Home parish: St. Fabian Catholic Church, Farmington Hills), who will be ordained a priest later this year.
What was the highlight of your time at Sacred Heart Major Seminary?
I would describe my time at Sacred Heart as a time growing in intimacy with Christ the Lord and his Church. It was a time when I allowed my heart to be pierced by his love that sought after me since I first heard my calling to pursue priesthood as a vocation. The Lord illuminated the desire He had placed in my heart, purified it over the years of formation, and now he is about to bring it to fulfillment.
What has been one or two highlights of your time serving as a transitional deacon?
As a transitional deacon preaching the Word of God has been a highlight because it has deepened his love for me and mine for him. I see God’s footprints in their entirety throughout Scripture and encountering him in this unique way is the good news of salvation that I have come to believe in, teach, and practice.
How are you preparing for priestly ordination?
I am staying faithful to the promises I made at my diaconate ordination and praying for all those to whom I will minister to in his name. To put it simply, I am trying to “keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith” as the author of the book of Hebrews describes it.
What kind of priest do you want to be?
I would like to be a priest after Christ’s own heart who is faithful and compassionate towards the weak. In uniting myself with Him who is the principal author and the invisible worker of grace within me, I wish to be a dispenser of his grace. Finally, I want to be a priest who strives for holiness so that I always bring glory to God.
What are you looking forward to after being ordained?
I am looking forward to working with all of my brother priests in union with the Archbishop, as a minister of God, and most especially to celebrate the holy sacrifice of the Mass. As his instrument of mercy, I am excited to be able to offer God’s mercy through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Please join us in praying for Deacon Michael Selveraj during his final months of preparation leading up to his ordination.