As young as age four, I had felt an invitation from Jesus to become a priest. Yet the incompatibility that had grown in my mind between my sins and a perfect God had distanced me from Him.

One night in high school, I had a moment of clarity. I wanted there to be more to life than darkness and anger. I wanted to believe that God’s mercy and love was really for me. I felt an invitation to return to the sacrament of Confession after a long time away – an invitation that I accepted.

The next morning, I received the Eucharist at Mass, and repeated the most important prayer of my life: “Jesus, I trust in You.” In that moment, Jesus rewarded my act of Faith, making the truth of His Sacred Heart known to me. From that moment on, my life changed. As I began to rebuild my relationship with Jesus, I again became aware of His invitation to the priesthood. He gave up His life for me; now I was being asked to give up my life for Him and for His Church.