by Joseph Hadzovic
I’VE BEEN THINKING about becoming a priest since I went on a retreat with the Salesians of John Bosco when I was 14.
Father Steve Ryan gave a homily on the last day, and he used a puppet! I can’t remember a homily that was as funny and more importantly, that taught me more about my faith. I watched the room as he did this and saw the tremendous impact he had on others, and how God was working through him. I knew at that point that I wanted whatever Father Steve had, and that I wanted to be a messenger for God like he was.
Even though this adventure has been a long time coming, my own family was skeptical at first. They thought (some probably still think) that what I am doing is crazy. They are right! It is both radical and bold to claim to be a follower of Christ and to enter formation for the priesthood. The more my family has learned about what I’m doing, the more receptive and encouraging they’ve become.
Don’t Freak Out
If you’re thinking about the priesthood, don’t freak out! I think I was initially intimidated that God could be calling me. I wanted to ignore it and pretend it was not here. I soon realized that the call does not go away, and that I was not crazy for thinking about it. I kept thinking I was not good enough to be called, but a smart lady once told me, “God does not call the qualified, he qualifies the called.”
Talk to someone about it. Whether it be your priest, youth minister, family or friends, you have to communicate about what you’re thinking. Start with someone who you deeply trust. You cannot properly discern or learn about the priesthood if you do not talk about it it. So go seek some advice!
Pray and Be Open
Continue to ask God to help you better discern what he asks of you and continue to be involved in your parish. Prayer and service are key. Also, be open to the opportunities God puts in your life and put yourself out there. I have done so many awesome and fun things because I let God take the lead.
Although I have not been here long, seminary has been great. My teachers and classmates have really helped me figure out how to make it here. The biggest surprise since I got here has been how much joy and peace studying to become a priest has brought into my life.
Seminary is not as boring (or as lame) as I once thought it might be. I have had a blast getting to know the guys and I’ve learned so much about myself. I am looking forward to the next chapter of my life.
If you are reading this, and think you are being called, do not think that this could never be you. I never thought it would ever be me, and yet here I am writing this. God is good!
Hadzovic is a seminarian studying for the priesthood in the Diocese of Brooklyn