While I knew a lot about the Catholic Faith, I wouldn’t say I had a personal relationship with Jesus growing up. In high school, I joined a youth group that helped me build authentic relationships and learn how to pray. At a retreat, I first heard God’s invitation to the priesthood. At the end of the retreat, the priest asked if any young men would be willing to stand if they were discerning the priesthood. I felt a burning desire to stand. It was at that moment that I thought God might be calling me to be a priest! I felt very nervous, and told God, “Not yet; I’m not sure.”
God remained patient as I continued into college, and there, had the opportunity to attend an ordination. The same fervor arose in my heart, as I saw the priests process in for the Mass, but I didn’t really think much of it. Near the end of college, I went to Mass on Holy Thursday and recalled these two previous graces the Lord had given me. I made a firm resolution and prayer to further explore this calling that I sensed from the Lord.