In exactly twenty-two days, nineteen hours, twenty-one minutes, and two seconds, the opening song for my priesthood ordination will begin (Crown Him With Many Crowns) and I will probably start crying as I did during the opening procession at my deacon ordination.  Many different feelings, emotions, thoughts, and desires have been coming up over the last couple weeks.  This is a time that is full of anxiety, stress, joy, happiness, confusion, and total reliance on God.  I feel like my six and half years of seminary have been preparing me more for these last few weeks than the rest of my life as a priest.  

It’s no secret that the devil hates priests and that the evil one will do anything and everything he can to stop the ordination of priests.  Priests continue the saving mission of Jesus Christ that overcomes the power of sin and death and brings all people into everlasting life.  This is why the devil hates priests so much.  Without priests, we don’t have the Sacraments, and without the Sacraments we have lost many tools to fight the evil one.  

I’ve heard priests tell me before that the evil one will do all he can to discourage our vocations, this is the reason for learning how to pray and discern with the Holy Spirit so that we don’t get confused.  This exercise is much easier said than done; however, I was doing fine until these last couple of weeks.  I’ve felt attacked by the devil on a few occasions.  No, not like in the Exorcist or any other movie involving Hollywood’s idea of the demonic: I’m not possessed, my seminary room and parish are not haunted, nothing has levitated, and I haven’t puked pea soup.   However, the devil has been attacking me though in ways that seem discouraging as my ordination approaches.  Luckily, with the help of close friends, the Sacraments, and my spiritual director, I’ve been able to kick the devil in the face and move on.

The academic year coming to a close has brought on a great sense of accomplishment.  I was never the “smart kid” among my group of friends and the fact that I’m the only one getting a graduate degree really makes me laugh.  Honestly, if I can get a Masters degree, anyone can.  When I entered the seminary in 2010 it was the academics that scared me the most because I was never a great student.  Don't get me wrong, I graduated with average grades, never made the Deans List, and I did work very hard; but, I graduated both Loyola University and soon the University of St. Mary of the Lake.  Academics were hard for me, but I made it! 

As the academic year comes to a close all I have left to do is take a five day retreat in preparation for my ordination and sleep…a lot.  Please continue to pray for my classmates and I as our ordinations quickly approach.  All are invited to my First Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday, May 22 at 11:00am, St. Celestine Parish (3020 N. 76th Ct. Elmwood Park, IL. 60707).  

St. Joseph, Pray for Us!

Mary, Mother of Priests, Pray for Us!