Vocation Story

While all vocations begin at baptism, I'd first thought of becoming a priest around the time of my first Communion. The associate at the time would visit the second graders and read stories to them. I was impressed, and wanted to be a priest. Deo gratias, my understanding of the priesthood has developed since then. The seed, however, had been planted.

My grandmother's brother, while he was alive, was a religious priest, a Viatorian (CSV) Father, John "Jack" Lane. I take my name from his. He has since gone to his eternal reward, a priest forever. It was after his death that I again thought about becoming a priest. This occurred around early high school. At the time, I was blessed to have a holy spiritual director, who guided me as I tried to understand and follow God's holy will. He introduced me to the practice of the spiritual life, discernment of spirits (without using those words, though). His oft-repeated phrase was, "Jack, do whatever works, and adapt if necessary."

By the end of high school, I thought God wanted me to join a religious order. The following of Christ, poor, chaste, and obedient, drew me in that direction. But a question remained: which order to join? So I went to Catholic University to study philosophy and engage in further discernment. A number of religious orders have residences in the vicinity of the University. I was able to interact with many of them. In getting to know the various groups, though, I came to the conclusion that I was not called to any one of them.

At Catholic University, I was able to serve at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. This taught me much about how the Church teaches, governs, and achieves her Christ-given mission. In this, I heard a call to the diocesan priesthood. The diocesan priest works "in and in front of" the Church (Directory for the Ministry and Life of Priests) in very special way.

Thus, I now very strongly believe God wants me to serve his people as a parish priest. And so, I am now studying theology at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary (St. Louis, MO), ever desiring to serve both God and His people as a priest for the Diocese of Rockford. In the end, if we are open, God leads us where He wills! Please pray that I may be conformed ever more closely to the Divine Model, the High Priest.