Three young men ponder becoming priests

The Evangelist spoke with three young men, 15-19, currently in the discernment process, about how they are going about deciding on their futures.

Brendan Lill, 19, attends George Washington University in Washington, D.C. A parishioner of St. Pius X in Loudonville, he attended Catholic grade school there and LaSalle Institute in Troy. He was active in parish ministry for most of his life as an altar server, sacristan and member of the youth ministry team.

"I consider my personal gifts and talents to lie in the area of working directly with people," he said. "I am considering the priesthood because I have always had a great interest in Church activities and working with people in the parish community. I'm interested in the prospect of being able to cultivate this [interest] with others in that environment."

CLI experience

He said that he experienced a depth of feeling that allowed him to bond with people, some with whom he has since formed deep friendships.

"I have been able to share my feelings and thoughts with those friends about things that I wouldn't share with anyone else, and the priesthood is one of them," he noted. "I have been pretty quiet about it, though. It's been kind of hot and cold. Sometimes, I think about it a lot; and, sometimes, I don't think about it at all.

Possibilities

"I believe that everyone has a calling, no matter what that calling may be," Mr. Lill explained. "God calls each and every one of us to serve Him and the Church, whether it is as a priest or a lector or as part of a couple. I also believe that once we can realize what that calling is, that is where we will find our personal happiness -- in doing what God wants us to do and in being what God has planned for us to be.

"I would tell any young person that if he thinks he is being called by God to the priesthood, to take as many opportunities as possible to learn more about it. Find someone that you are comfortable with, someone you trust and confide in that person. Cultivate a good spirituality and personal prayer life. Go to church as much as you can, really experience God in ways that you are comfortable and familiar with. I am training for a marathon, and it's during those hour-long runs that I have my best prayer times.

"Listen to others and, most importantly, listen to yourself. Don't be swayed by someone else's ideas or opinions. It takes a lot of courage to know yourself and to be open to God's call.

For me, I am happiest when I am open to that call."

Called?

"We learned all about what a priest does besides celebrating Mass," he said.

During the following summer, he participated in a "shadow day," following a member of the clergy to learn what a priest does. "It opened us up to what a vocation to the priesthood would be like," he said.

Bishop's input

"The Bishop was great. He had a lot of good things to say and answered all our questions," Stephen said.

He is drawn to the priesthood because he has always been interested in the Church and learning more about his faith.

Thinking it over

"Right now, I'm looking at the priesthood as a career option," Stephen noted. He is also very interested in engineering, which he plans on studying in college, as well as joining the Army after college. He doesn't see the option of becoming a priest conflicting with those choices.

"Where I am right now is where I think I should be," he observed. "I think God is working through those that have been working with me in this process, to open ideas up to me so I can make a decision about my own life."

Sharing with others

"God works through others to help you out," he noted. "Don't be afraid to tell someone how you feel. Speak with someone you trust like I did, talk to a priest you trust or to the Bishop. Attend a shadow day. There is no commitment there; it's just a way to open you up to the vocation of the priesthood. Don't hesitate!"

Brother's influence

His older brother, now in college and also interested in becoming a priest, invited him to a discernment group sponsored by the diocesan Vocations Office.

"We met with some others interested in becoming a priest," Robert recalled. "After that, we also met with a panel of people from the community that included single adults, married couples, some priests and even the Bishop. He also met with us separately to answer any questions we had. He told us about his own call to the priesthood."

Robert's discernment began in full force after he attended a week-long SALT gathering last year; SALT stands for Service Action Learning Teams. There, he experienced for the first time a strong "call from God."

Active teen

He has been a lector at weekend Masses since he was in seventh grade and this year became a Eucharistic minister. He also plays the piano, clarinet and saxophone in the jazz, concert and marching bands at school, as well as being a "pretty good" tennis player.

He wants other young men interested in the priesthood to "talk to others that are going through the same process and pray a lot. For me, an active prayer life is very helpful."

(For further information on religious vocations, contact the diocesan Vocations Office at 453-6670.)

(11-14-02) [[In-content Ad]]