In his great goodness, God has gifted me with two distinct vocations: first, as a religious brother of the Holy Cross; second, as a secular priest for the Archdiocese of Detroit, MI.

American by birth, I was living with my family as a teenager in Taranto, Italy, when I clearly knew that God was calling me to be a teaching brother. I had thought of a religious vocation since the time I was seven years old. Although many of my friends were devout Catholics, in general I was struck by the religious ignorance of the Italian youth. The Church in Italy enjoyed the benefits of the Concordat that provided for catechism classes in all the country's public schools for two hours a week on an elementary level and an hour each week in high school. Not much knowledge seemed to be absorbed though; there was noticeable superstition too.  Ninety-nine percent of the country claimed to be Catholic, but the practice of the Faith was shoddy.

One Sunday in March 1960 when I was 16, my friend, Valerio Morante, and I went to visit the city of Bari, several miles north of Taranto. Valerio refused to attend Mass with me; he did, however, consent to enter a church in the late afternoon so I could light a candle at one of the side altars. In God's providence, it happened to be where St. Nicholas (Santa Claus) was entombed. It was there that I decided to give myself to the service of Catholic education. I wrote to a few religious congregations in the United States and decided to go to the Holy Cross Congregation based in Notre Dame, IN. I professed and remained with them for 24 years. During that time I taught all grades between 4 and 12 in the states of Indiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin. I also worked for the Roman Curia in the Department of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, and for three years was assigned to the Holy Cross Mother House in Rome where I did translation work in English, Latin, French and Italian. Periodically I pondered becoming a priest.

In 1983 I was at St Peter's Square in Rome awaiting the beginning of the Mass celebrating Pope John Paul II's 25^th anniversary of ordination as bishop. I was approached by a priest who handed me a card and told me to go into St Peter's and present myself to help distribute Communion. I told him that I was a brother. He said that it did not matter because I could still help distribute communion together with the priests because there were not enough. (I was wearing my habit). I went into the Basilica and was handed an alb. While waiting in the Eucharistic chapel for the Mass to begin outside, I once again experienced a strong desire for the priesthood, and I heard a clear voice say, "I will help you". During the Mass, those who assisted with Communion were directly behind the Pope. That, and giving the Holy Eucharist to Catholics of so many cultures, was an overwhelming religious experience for me.

Although Holy Cross has both priests and brothers, a brother can never be a priest within that community, so when I returned to the US several months later, I applied for a dispensation and went to study in the diocese where I was born, Detroit. Due to my experience in religious life and many years of study, I was given a modified curriculum. After less than two years of preparation I was ordained in 1986.

I marvel at how God has worked in my life or perhaps I should say, how we have worked together! I came from a solid Catholic family (five brothers and sisters and me) that experienced no want. My parents made religion a part of our lives. They emphasized the virtues of compassion and generosity. Our trips to other countries (forty-three) and throughout America gave me a spirit of appreciation for other cultures and adaptability. Two of my sisters entered the convent. I was privileged to teach the Catholic Faith in a classroom setting for many years and now I enjoy the additional blessing of sacramental ministry that brings God to people at significant times in their lives. My experience in religious life offered a sound spirituality; a sense of God's abiding presence, and training in a life of holiness and service enriched by the lives of others.

The following of Christ in the priesthood demands zeal for preaching, leading and sanctifying. How this is brought to fruition in mere mortals like me is a mystery I will never comprehend. But then, who ever understands God?