“…that we must choose the state God has predestined for us, so as to be happy in our next life.” (Blessed Damien of Malokai)
God has a concrete plan for each one of us. I still remember trying to make a deal with God concerning my vocation. After my sophomore year at Michigan State University, I started a summer job at the headquarters of General Motors, and was dating a girl who I really wanted to marry. Yet, at the same time, I felt in my heart that God was calling me to be his priest. I told Christ, “I will have ten kids, I promise to be very involved in parish life, I will give a good chunk of my earnings to support the Church…is this enough?” Christ responded, “Michael, I want all of you, not just part of you, and I need your help to bring many souls back to my heart.” This was a tough decision at the time, but one that I have never regretted. Christ has given me so much more than I could ever offer up to him!
Later my dad told me, “Michael, I initially did not want to give you my blessing because I do not want to lose you, but I have been thinking and praying a lot, and if this is what Christ is asking of you, then I have no right to get in God’s way.” He later told my mom that he was very proud of me to make this big step. Parents, please support your children if they are called to follow Christ in the priesthood or consecrated life…it is a tough decision and your blessing will make it easier!
Thanks Father Michael for sharing that part of your life. As a man, I am curious to know, if it is possible for you to describe it, what was the feeling or the state of mind or whatever it could be called, that made you choose priesthood over marriage. Did you have the impression, for example, that you would feel guilty for the rest of your life if you did not become a priest? Or did you have that «I-know-without-a- doubt-and-forever belief» that it was the only to do? I know it is difficult to put words on that feeling but can you give it a try? Thanks
Francoise….Father Michael responds….I felt a constant and loving tug from the Heart of Christ. He was asking me for help, he was asking me for everything, yet at the same time fully respecting my freedom. It is hard to explain, but although this was a difficult thing to “give up”, Christ has more than compensated this lack of human of affection with his intense spiritual presence in my soul and his total presence in the Eucharist. I have no regrets and I will be eternally grateful to God for this amazing gift of the priesthood…it has far exceeded my expectations and this is a sincere statement.
God bless,
Thanks father Michael for sharing those intimate feeling. I was asking because sometimes people tell me I would have made a good priest although I am sure I would not. But now that I’ve benn married for over 25 years and have retired from the organization I had worked for for over 30 years, some other tell me I would make a good deacon. I was wondering what THE calling feel like.
That being said, I too have the same kind of conviction about my own mission. It’s not even a calling, it’s a deeply anchored knowledge that I have to put the gifts I received from the Holy Spirit at the service of God, which, for now, means working for the Church and volunteering within the RC movement.