When the Call Became Impossible to Ignore

I still remember being in Grade 3 and telling my teacher that I wanted to be a priest. Of course, firefighter and police officer were also on the list-but the priesthood always held a special place in my heart. As I grew, my interests widened-drama, hospitality, and community service-but my love for the Mass never faded. Throughout High School, I was introduced to faith-based events by a youth minister in a neighbouring parish and attended events like COR (Christ in Others Retreat), Lift Jesus Higher Rallies, and the Steubenville Youth Conference. All these events helped me in digging into my faith, realizing that there was more to Mass and our Faith than just serving the altar.
Interestingly, it was at a youth group in an evangelical church, where my best friend invited me, that the call to priesthood became undeniable. One evening we talked about servant leadership, and it hit me: this is what priesthood is about. The youth minister prayed with me, and from then on, I could no longer ignore the call. I realized priesthood was the perfect way to unite my love for Christ with my desire to serve people.

The Detours, Struggles, and Lessons Along the Way

In 2011, I entered St. Peter’s Seminary after attending a Come and See weekend. From the very start, the community felt like “home.” Still, my journey was not without challenges. The academics were tough, and living in community was a big adjustment. By my second year, I was struggling so much and in different ways that I stepped back from formation and focused on finishing my Philosophy degree at King’s University College.
Yet the call never left me. In 2018, I returned to formation at St. Peter’s to begin earning my Theology degree. I carried some self-doubt with me, but this time I was more mature and better prepared. I also learned humility-especially in asking for support. With the help of a spiritual director and the seminary’s human formation counsellor, I discovered the importance of mental health, self-care, and balance. Long walks, painting, exercise, prayer, and friendship became lifelines. Through these struggles, my prayer life deepened, especially through Eucharistic adoration. Prayer was no longer something I simply did-it became who I was.

From Seminary Halls to Parish Life

On April 27, 2024, I was ordained a priest for the Diocese of London. I now serve at the Lucan Northwest London Family of Parishes. Transitioning from seminary to parish life has been exciting, humbling, and full of new learning. One of my first experiences as a priest was walking with families through end-of-life situations-moments that called on compassion, self-knowledge, and presence.
I love the rhythm of parish life: visiting schools, celebrating Mass, hearing confessions, and being with parishioners young and old. They give me energy, and I see Christ working in their lives every day. To stand at the altar now, on the other side, and witness people not only coming to Mass but coming to Christ-it makes every challenge and struggle on the journey worthwhile.

God’s Call: A Voice That Never Fades

If I’ve learned anything, it’s that God’s call never really lets go. The road to priesthood isn’t always straight or easy, but every step draws you closer to the One who calls. If you feel even the smallest stirring of God’s call in your heart, don’t be afraid to explore it-you may find, as I did, that He has been preparing you for something greater than you could ever imagine.