It is a supernatural call…to lay down one’s life so that others might live.

After a time of discernment, I myself responded to that call.  “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Matt. 16:24). After ten years of service within the Defence Forces here in Ireland I finally took the decision to enter Religious life and study for the priesthood.

Did I ever imagine that I would have gone down such a road? No. Yet looking back now, I believe that this call to priesthood was something deep within me, but because of the life I was living, I wasn’t open to hear such a call. For me, life was centred around my own needs, rather that the needs of those around me. It was about making sure I was happy and comfortable. A vocation to the priesthood is indeed counter-cultural. We are living in a time where the world is bombarded with noise. There are so many distractions that are blocking out the voice of God, e.g. TV, music, media, etc. We are living in a society that is not centred on God or on Godly values.

People are searching for God but are looking in the wrong places. This is the great crisis of our world today. Today the world is waiting for the message of the Gospel. It is waiting for people like you and me to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ; to share the reason for our hope.

I encountered the Pallottine Fathers through youth groups like ‘Youth 2000’. When I eventually decided to enter religious life, I didn’t question which order I would join, for it was among these men that I felt most welcomed and at home. In fact, in joining the Pallottines I felt I was coming home.

The priesthood is an opportunity to stand for change. It is an instrument for the change that the world needs today. The world needs priests: it needs people who will minister the mysteries of God; people who will bring the Holy Sacraments into the life of God’s people, to bring people to Jesus Christ. The priesthood is a life of sacrifice, a life of service. Why? - Because it is the life that our Lord Jesus lived. Do you feel that God may be calling you to serve Him in the priesthood? Do not be afraid to answer such a call. It’s worth selling everything. “Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt 3:19).