One of my brothers (third of the four siblings...I'm the oldest) is a seminarian right now (the one who help to found the religious order that he's part of). My youngest brother is a sophomore in college and is on a semester abroad in Austria. He was recently in Medjugorje and this is what the email he sent:
Okay, so I haven't told anyone this because I wanted to tell you guys first. During the first day at Medjugorje, we climbed Apparition Hill, where the Blessed Virgin first appeared to the visionaries. We prayed the Rosary up the hill, and at the top there is a statue of Our Lady where she first appeared. Everyone sat there and prayed quietly. As I was sitting there, completely out of the blue, I hear a voice in my head, "K, I want you to be a priest." And, of course, my first reaction is "Woah, woah, woah, wait a minute, this is not what I planned." So of course I try to put it to the side and forget about it.
Later on that evening, there is adoration going on in the church. As I am in adoration, I hear the exact same thing again, and I honestly don't want to hear it. I want to have my own little plans and hopefully God will fit in them. Of course, God ruins our fun little plans and so yeah. God is calling me to become a priest. It's crazy. I still don't think I have quite processed it yet. But praise God for that. I really think this entire semester, especially on 10-day, prepared me for this in Medj. I really have just learned to trust in the Lord in all things, and to give Him all that I am. And I am so thankful for Our Lady's intercession, because I really do believe that this was the reason I finally heard the voice. I was able to be quiet, to get away from things, and just listen to the voice of the Lord.
I'm pretty sure that the oldest of my brothers will not end up being a priest since he's a big hippy, has never really been a practicing Catholic and has been dating the same girl for 9 years and bought a house with her (but still hasn't proposed).
How exciting!!!
ReplyDeleteMy brother-in-law is a Jesuit and I love having a priest in the family.
Two priests in a family -- what a blessing!!!!
Wow, that's amazing! Praise God! How beautiful that he was able to hear what God was asking Him!
ReplyDeletePraise God! Girl, Medjy is full of surprises! I totally believe it and I love apparition hill. I want to know more of his experiences. I bet he is on cloud 9 right now! That is just crazy!
ReplyDeleteNot to mention the fact that this is the 2nd priest in your family! Wow! That is amazing!
To think that I went to Medgy to discern being a nun and it was very clear to me that being married was my vocation. :) I was shocked to have that news revealed to me......
Very exciting! God bless him. I am sure in this day and age, announcing to friends (particularly non-C ones) that you are intended to be a priest is not always met with great support. We sometimes forget how brave it is for them to follow the Call. He is right. You can't hear God with all the noise around you.
ReplyDeleteSt. James Parish in Medjugorje is asking those like your brother who received their vocation in relation to Medjugorje to fill out and return the questionnaire below (see http://medjugorje.hr.nt4.ims.hr/News.aspx) I believe this is in support of seeking official Shrine status for Medjugorje. Please forward this to your bother. God bless ...
ReplyDeleteQUESTIONAIRE
Respected brothers, the purpose and aim of this questionnaire is to make a list of priests who received their vocation through Medjugorje. So, we kindly ask you to fill out this form with the following information:
Name and surname:
Name of the diocese or religious community:
• Diocesan priest
• Religious (what order)
• Deacon
• Theology student
Address:
Home phone number:
Mobile phone number:
When did you visit Medjugorje for the first time?
How many times have you been to Medjugorje so far?
Please, briefly describe on one page the way Medjugorje influenced your decision to become a priest?
Your opinion about Medjugorje?
When did you decide to study theology?
Where did you study?
Date of your ordination?
What and where have you worked as a priest since your ordination?
Meeting pilgrims we have found out that you experienced a significant spiritual renewal in Medjugorje. However, we do not have enough written testimonies about concrete fruits, so we kindly ask you to fill out the above written questionnaire.
This information will be used for the needs of the Information Center Mir Medjugorje only. We thank you in advance.
Please send your answers to the following e-mail address: vianney500@gmail.com until January 1, 2010.