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As evening light streamed through the stained glass window in the chapel of St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie, young men sat in seats occupied by other seminarians and priests before them. They were taking a first step to see if they might follow the same path in the years ahead.
Some 200 young men, between the ages of 16 and 25, were at St. Joseph’s for a well-attended “Evening for Vocations” April 1.
During the event, Cardinal Dolan led the young men in Solemn Evening Prayer, or Vespers. The night included tours of the seminary grounds and a dinner during which seminarians from St. Joseph’s discussed their vocations.
Father Enrique Salvo, director of vocations for the archdiocese, said, “It's of great importance for young people to remember that God has a great plan for their lives in which He will invite them to serve Him and others.”
“For some this will be through the powerful vocation of the priesthood,” he said.
Father Salvo told CNY, “Even though many of the young men tonight would not feel ready to discern such a big calling just yet, it is never to soon to develop a strong relationship with Jesus, so they will later be able to hear His voice better.”
In his homily at Vespers, Cardinal Dolan told the young men they should take it as a compliment that someone thought they might have a vocation to the priesthood. The youths came at the invitation of parish and school priests and parents.
“They see something in you,” the cardinal said, listing particulars such as a solid faith, good academics, and a personality that inspires trust and confidence.
The cardinal told a story of a young priest he knew who, when asked how he knew he wanted to be a priest, replied, “The reason I want to be a priest is because I sensed God wanted me to be a priest.”
Finding out what God wants each of them to do with his life is of the utmost importance, the cardinal said.
“My prayer this evening is that some of you will hear the call to be a priest,” he said.
He explained that God patiently, gently, calmly and quietly shows people His will.
He also gave the young men five concrete ways to approach the discernment process: by praying; attending Mass every Sunday to receive the Holy Eucharist; receiving the sacrament of reconciliation; associating with people who share your values, goals and faith; and getting to know the priests they admire.
In the hallway, surrounded by photos of the seminary’s graduating classes, Father Michael Reilly, principal of St. Joseph by-the-Sea High School on Staten Island, said he brought several Sea students along with him because “it’s a subtle way of suggesting the possibility” of a vocation to the priesthood.
“I hope they begin to think about it,” he said.
Sophomore Robert Ruszkowski said he agreed to go so he could “deepen my faith.” Of a priestly vocation, he said, “It’s a possibility, but nothing is definite yet. I’ve always been pretty religious and serve as an altar server.”
Senior Dan Bahno said, “I have to see where life takes me. I’ll go wherever God wants me.”
The evening was not the first visit to a vocation event at the seminary for sophomore Tyler O’Connor. “I came here last year,” he told CNY. “I loved the whole experience. I’m hoping to see. I’m not sure what I want to do but I’m open to the possibility.”
“Maybe this time I will get an answer,” he added.
Others like Ryan Muldoon had come to St. Joseph’s for the vocations event years earlier. Now a student at the Cathedral Seminary House of Formation in Douglaston, Queens, Muldoon said happily, “I just sent a text to the priest who brought me thanking him for the exposure.”
The priest who took him was Father Dennis Williams, who was assigned to St. Aedan’s in Pearl River at the time; he is now serving at St. Mary’s in Marlboro.
Muldoon said, “As a young kid, Dunwoodie seemed like a big place, big in every sense of the word. It is a large building, with a long history, and an important task of forming priests.”
“Nothing other than grace has led me back here,” he added with a smile.
