[NYer]

"He has been there at a historical time. He has told me, "If I never had another thing in my life, I could just sit alone in a room and think about what I've experienced. That would be enough for me for my whole life.' One time he just held the phone up and said, "Those are the bells of St. Peters, Mom! I can hear them from my room!' "
Judy Freedy, mother of seminarian Joe Freedy, third from left.

[NYer]

But he loved God more.

Many prayers for this seminarian and all those who have consecrated their lives in service to God!

[jocon307]

What a great post! Very good article, sympathetic, or course, but also quite well written. That's very rare lately!

[AnAmericanMother]

I remember this little group of young seminarians in St. Peter's Square when the election of Benedict XVI was announced. They whooped and jumped into the air, pumping their fists.

I KNEW they were Americans - thought they were athlete types - now I know!

[marshmallow]

Feel-good story of the week.

[visualops]

What a wonderful, wonderful story! Thank you so much for the uplifting post!
Whever I hear people moaning about vocations, I am heartened by stories like this young man- who calls to mind a seminarian who came here for short summer and ended up coming back for a pastoral 9 months. He too is at the American College at the Vatican. His enthusiasm is infectious and inspiring.
It's so wonderful to see such bright talented people choosing to serve God.

[A CA Guy]

"Foregoes family and career to train for priesthood"

Wasn't this the same excuse that Tom Cruise gave his first two wives for not wanting to have sex with them?

[bornacatholic]

excellent. positive story. God Bless. Another Joannes Paulus Magnus generation priest.

[DameAutour]

Just one teeny little nitpick.

He didn't forego "family and career". The priesthood IS a career. And theoretically he is now more readily available to his TRUE family, brothers and sisters in Christ.

I bring this up because I have an aunt who people kind of feel sorry for because she hasn't married or had children or gone to college, but is about to move to the Dominican Republic to serve as a missionary. But that is a legitimate career!

I wish we could expand the definitions of terms such as "family" and "career". Jesus certainly didn't forego family and career. When people ask me what career I am working towards, I tell them I want to teach the Bible to people who may have limited access to it. I won't make any money at it, but that just may be the difference between a "job" and a "career". I'd like to have a job to support myself, but that would not be my career. And I'll always have a family of my own, because I'll always have my Father, my brothers and my sisters, the true family.

Excuse the rant, but this is something that's important to me.

[Coleus]

Beautiful Story.

 

Credo_in_unum_deum, Let the Holy Spirit by your guide

 

Prayer Request for a Potential Seminarian

 

Prayers for vocations.

 

Brothers in Christ

One Good Priest Can Make a Difference
All in the Family

 

The Priesthood Ordination Class of 2005 “People would be surprised to know that I…”

 

"Warrior Monk" in Iraq (one of my military penpals)

[Salvation]

What a wonderful story!

[Palladin]

Nice story. There's still hope for the Catholic Church.

[Straight Vermonter]

Thanks for posting this. I just printed it for my 16 year old who is considering a vocation.

Please pray for him.

[Northern Yankee]

"You just stole a rosary from the pope.' "

Priceless!

What a wonderful story.

[Mr. Silverback]

Not NFL, but thought you'd like to see it.

[PA Lurker]

Thank you dear lady from New York! I am very proud to say that our Knights of Columbus Council #10175 of Holy Sepulcher Parish in Butler County, PA, has lent financial and spiritual support to this wonderful seminarian. We have met him personally and we are very grateful for his commitment to Christ.

[onyx]

He plans to become a parish priest in the Pittsburgh area!