"Out of the mouths of infants and nurslings you have brought forth praise" (Matthew 21:16). This passage came to mind as I shared a nice evening with my adopted family this summer (each seminarian in the diocese gets an adopted family to pray for them and to get to know them). When I first arrived to their house two of the boys were outside playing a grueling game of ping pong. I went out to watch them while the Mrs. finished preparing the meal. Soon she and the man of the house joined us outside (he later crushed me in an embarrassing match). The younger of the two brothers playing greeted me, looked at me, and with all the innocence and sincerity of a child said, "that's great that you are going to be a priest, but don't you want children?"
Without hesitating I said, "sure, but I get to come and hang out with great families like yours." Now, after for years in the seminary and a couple more years before I actually entered when I was considering the priesthood, I have heard this question many times. I said the same thing this time as I have said before, but I answered the question differently. Before that moment, I had heard the answer and I knew it in my head, but now I was responding from my heart. I truly felt like I was being fulfilled, in a way, of the desire one has to have children. No doubt a new dimension of fulfillment will enter in when I become a priest and begin to father spiritual children. As I write this, I can't help but think of Pope Benedict's words during the Mass at which he was inaugurated as pope. Speaking about John Paul II's call to young people, "Do not be afraid! Open wide the doors for Christ," Pope Benedict said "Do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away, and he gives you everything. When we give ourselves to him, we receive a hundredfold in return. Yes, open, open wide the doors to Christ – and you will find true life."
In calling me to "come follow me" as a seminarian and God-willing as a priest in less than two years, I can honestly say that Christ has taken nothing from me. Rather, he has given me more than I could have ever expected and certainly more than I deserve. I am very thankful to my adopted brother for asking me that question and for helping me to realize how far I have come, or rather, how far God has brought me.
Coming off of a summer of wonderful experiences at home, an easy transition back to life in Rome and weeks of conferences and retreat, I am more excited now than ever about the idea of being a priest. I can't wait to soak up as much knowledge as I can in these last two years of seminary formation and finally return home to minister to the great people of South Louisiana! As always let us pray for one another.
In Christ,
Patrick
Without hesitating I said, "sure, but I get to come and hang out with great families like yours." Now, after for years in the seminary and a couple more years before I actually entered when I was considering the priesthood, I have heard this question many times. I said the same thing this time as I have said before, but I answered the question differently. Before that moment, I had heard the answer and I knew it in my head, but now I was responding from my heart. I truly felt like I was being fulfilled, in a way, of the desire one has to have children. No doubt a new dimension of fulfillment will enter in when I become a priest and begin to father spiritual children. As I write this, I can't help but think of Pope Benedict's words during the Mass at which he was inaugurated as pope. Speaking about John Paul II's call to young people, "Do not be afraid! Open wide the doors for Christ," Pope Benedict said "Do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away, and he gives you everything. When we give ourselves to him, we receive a hundredfold in return. Yes, open, open wide the doors to Christ – and you will find true life."
In calling me to "come follow me" as a seminarian and God-willing as a priest in less than two years, I can honestly say that Christ has taken nothing from me. Rather, he has given me more than I could have ever expected and certainly more than I deserve. I am very thankful to my adopted brother for asking me that question and for helping me to realize how far I have come, or rather, how far God has brought me.
Coming off of a summer of wonderful experiences at home, an easy transition back to life in Rome and weeks of conferences and retreat, I am more excited now than ever about the idea of being a priest. I can't wait to soak up as much knowledge as I can in these last two years of seminary formation and finally return home to minister to the great people of South Louisiana! As always let us pray for one another.
In Christ,
Patrick
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