For me, I heard the persistent call from God over several years. And it all started in 3rd grade.
I had first thought about the priesthood in 3rd grade during a PSR class. Our teacher asked us to draw a picture of who we wanted to be, and I drew a picture of a priest. I believe that was a call from God. My parents and pastor were very encouraging. That was the beginning.
Leap forward to high school and I was thinking about what I was going to do once I graduated. The idea of priesthood resurfaced again. I told my parents and again they were supportive. I also had questions. But it was a lesson for me that you don’t have to have it all figured out.
Finally, the third stage was after I went to college at Ohio University. End of my freshman year, I realized that that calling was not going away. God is persistent. I was sitting in math class and thinking about becoming a priest. And I thought what am I doing? I decided to make the decision to enter the seminary.
I continued to hear the call. The key thing was that I had positive support.
Fr. Matt’s 25th Anniversary Mass.
For the homily concerning Fr. Matt’s call to the priesthood, please click the following link: