Laboure Society
“My name is Ethan Ward. I am discerning a call to serve Christ and His Church as a priest with the Archdiocese of Mobile. This is my story. ”
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My name is Ethan Ward. I am discerning a call to serve Christ and His Church as a priest with the Archdiocese of Mobile. This is my story.
I grew up in Alabama, where I was raised in a non-denominational Christian household with my older brother and my parents. We went to church together every Sunday as a family and were baptized together. At the time, I understood baptism as an important step in my Christian life, though I had not yet developed a deep personal relationship with God.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, with daily life disrupted and personal challenges intensified, I ultimately was brought to a point of prayer and transformation. I met a fellow college student with whom I began attending a Bible study. Even though we initially disagreed on theological issues, as he was Catholic, our conversations sparked my curiosity. I began researching the Catholic Church, and by the summer of 2021, was Confirmed into the Church. I became deeply involved in campus ministry and began seriously discerning the priesthood.
Through this discernment, I gained a clearer understanding of the sacrifices and beauty of priestly life. After graduation, I considered a corporate job offer, but heard a clear calling from God to become a missionary instead. My time as a missionary has been deeply fulfilling, especially witnessing to students and helping build authentic faith communities. Throughout it all, the call to the priesthood has remained persistent, so I seek to respond with an open heart.
As I follow God’s calling to the priesthood, I seek others to accompany me on this journey. May we meet so that I can share more? Until then, please keep me and my classmates in prayer, and feel free to reach out to me at EthanWard@rescuevocations.org.
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