Written by Talyor Leffler ’13, Philosophy and Catholic Studies
Five years ago, I had a make-believe conversation in my head with those little old ladies during Vocation Awareness Week. They would say, “Young man, you would sure make a good priest,” to which I would respond, “You’re crazy, ma’am. Please go pick on someone else. That’s the last thing on earth I would spend my entire life suffering through.” Today, I’m studying to be a Catholic priest.
What made the change? To be honest, it was simply an authentic witness of a person in love with Jesus. I grew up in a town of only 3,500 people. We rarely saw new families move to town. But during my junior year of high school, I met a new girl in biology class who had an unforgettable light in her eyes. In time, I would find out that she had given her life to Jesus, we would become good friends, and I would renounce my pagan life to follow Jesus as well. I realized that my Creator’s plans for my life would surely surpass my own, which led me to begin discerning the priesthood at St. John Vianney Seminary.
That girl from my small town in Nebraska never did come to St. Thomas, but I’m reminded of her witness when I see that same light in the eyes of so many Catholic Studies students. How blessed we are to be surrounded by young, authentic, committed men and women who know and love Jesus Christ!
