In my early to mid-20s, if someone had said to me: In 10 years you will be a Catholic Priest I would have asked them: What planet are you from? But I must admit there were brief moments prior to my mid-20s faith crisis when I sensed that God was calling me. Three early influences were:

1) Glimpses of the dignity of the priesthood whilst altar-serving at my
parish, St Annes, Strathfield South, Sydney.
2) Inspirations from my schooling at St Annes and St Patricks College,
Strathfield, through the witness of the Dominican Sisters, Christian
Brothers and Chaplain Priests.
3) Seeing my parents great love for so many priest friends, particularly
through their involvement with Marriage Encounter and the Marian
Movement of Priests.

Nevertheless, I was very closed to Gods call. I moved out of home during my Civil Engineering Degree and stopped going to Mass. Gradually the parties got wilder and my life went from bad to worse. I was kicked out of university and threw myself into the construction industry. I became a project manager working on various sites around Sydney. With my new builders license, I established a building company with an old friend from Kindergarten. Financially and socially my goals were on target, the first million was in sight. My prize investment was an apartment on the 14th floor overlooking Darling Harbour. My girlfriend was beautiful and from a wealthy family.

However, through tragic misadventures, I was brought to my knees at funerals of some of my close friends. One of them had saved my life, when we climbed the Sydney Opera House, one foolish night. I began seeking answers to the big questions of life; especially, the mystery of Eternity. This led me to Our Ladys Apparitions. Her motherly message reminded me of many truths; particularly, the reality of Hell. After seven years of neglect, I went to Confession. That was the turning point of my life. In Gods grace, I could once again discern moral truths. Now freed from Mortal Sin, I could worthily receive Holy Communion (Cf. 1 Cor. 11:23-34 & CCC 1415).

It was two years later, when I miraculously survived a horrific car accident. As I crawled out of the wreckage, I found my rosary beads in the gutter and to the amazement of the witnesses, was in good health. Sensing God was calling me to something special, I embarked on missionary work overseas and visited Rome, Assisi and some amazing Marian Shrines.

Sifting through the mail at work, I read on a building hardware pamphlet: What profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?(Mt.16:26). My goals began shifting from the material to the spiritual. My new love for the Catholic Church and the priesthood was growing. Now, the pleasures of this passing world were losing their glamour.

Nearing my 30th year, while at Mass on Holy Thursday, I sensed an interior call to the priesthood during the homily. I tried to ignore it but after seeking the counsel of a holy priest, I was advised to stop running and to start praying. After much prayer, in particular, a novena to Our Lady and to St John Vianney, I submitted and entered Vianney College in Wagga Wagga.

At the seminary, I experienced seven years of tremendous grace. This gift prepared me well for the beautiful vocation of the Diocesan Priesthood. I have been a priest for almost seven years. In truth, I would not trade it for anything. The privilege of saying Mass every day; preaching The Word; being an instrument of mercy in the Confessional; pointing the way to Heaven for people of all ages, is a true joy no words can adequately express.

Many of us can relate with St Augustine. He once said: Lord, you have made us for yourself and our hearts find no rest until they rest in Thee.

Eternal life is something we should meditate on regularly. So, to those who are discerning the call, contemplate the immortal words of Pope John Paul II: Open your hearts to Christ. There is no greater dignity known to man. When a priest administers the sacraments, he is in indeed: alter Christus
another Christ.

Jesus says: Come follow me.

Fr. Grace can be contacted at frgrace@hotmail.com.