From a very young age, I envisioned doing something great with my life. My idealistic childhood mind was filled with countless daydreams of serving my country.

I grew up in a close-knit Catholic family in Kansas City, Missouri, and the faith was always an important part of my life. Our parish priest was a good friend of my family and a truly holy man. His example left a deep impression on me and I remember times while serving Mass as an altar boy, I would think, I could do what Fathers doing.

Of course, there were several things that quickly arose to stifle such thoughts. You, a priest? What about the military, cars, money and girls? You dont want to miss out on life and these other possibilities.

Even though I had these normal thoughts of a young man, I also had a strong relationship with the Blessed Virgin Mary. We would pray the rosary together as a family and went on mini-Marian pilgrimages when I was a child. My relationship with her was very filial and spontaneous. She had plans for my life and she played a very important role in my finding and following my vocation to the priesthood.

During my high school years, my family participated in a group home schooling program along with many other families. It was a very formative experience for me, giving me all the tools I would later need when I entered the Legion. It also protected that seed of the vocation allowing it to eventually take root and grow.

During this time, I participated in several pilgrimages, including Fatima in Portugal in the summer of 1990 with a group of young men from all over the United States. The trip afforded me an opportunity to draw closer to Mary and her Son making it possible to hear his call over all the other noise. The idea of the priesthood came repeatedly during those days of prayer and reflection. I specifically remember thinking, Christ needs dedicated men to serve him and his Church.

I encountered the Legion for the first time shortly after returning from Fatima. I was impressed by the clean-cut men who expressed their love for Christ without hesistancy.

Shortly after meeting the Legionaries, a parishioner approached me and asked if I was a seminarian or interested in the priesthood. She had just gone on a retreat given by a Legionary priest and was very excited about the order. She immediately offered to send me on a retreat at the Legions novitiate in Cheshire, CT.

After much thought, I opted for the retreat. As soon as I arrived, I fell in love with the Legionaries charity, enthusiasm, love for Christ and his Mother and their fidelity to the Church and Christs Vicar. If I was going to be a priest, I felt my place was in the Legion. I decided, with the help and advice of a Legionary priest, that the best thing to do was to be generous with Christ. He can never be outdone in generosity, Father told me, and if it wasn't my vocation he would let me know.

I returned to Cheshire later that summer for the Legions candidacy program. I entered the novitiate that fall, and I've never looked back. Now as a priest, I know how generous Christ has been with me.

Christ has given me the greatest gift a man can receive. In return, I have vowed to use it for the benefit of the whole Church, to help establish his Kingdom in the hearts of all men and women.

Yes, that daydream of becoming a soldier did come true. I have become a soldier: a soldier for Christ.

Fr. Christopher was ordained a priest in Rome on November 25, 2004. He is currently studying for his masters degree in Theology.