‘Please pray for increase in vocations’ By Patrick Donohue Jones
Seminarian for the Diocese of Jackson
A vocation to discern the priesthood is a precious gift. I now pursue the exploration of this gift through the will of God, the support of the Diocese of Jackson, the Knights of Columbus Council 1251, and my parents, Beauchamp and Rosy Jones, at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans. This vocation did not happen over- night. It has taken most of my adult life and two intensive years of discernment before realizing the Diocese of Jackson is where God has called me to serve. Reflecting on the life God has given me, this vocation began when I was a young man. For years, I loved participating in Mass as an altar boy. The memories of that experience are some of the happiest times of my youth; I did not realize the gift with which I was being presented.
I vaguely pursued discernment by attending a vocations meeting with the Diocese of Jackson during my high school years, but I quickly dismissed discerning the priesthood. At that time, I believed there was only one way to live life: go to college, find a spouse, and make money.
It never occurred to me God might be speaking to me and asking me to consider a life that is countercultural, a life focused on serving others and not me. When I left for college, I did the opposite of what my parents and “Mother Church” had taught. I began to live life “my way.”
My “desires” were the main focus of life, and I thought I knew what was best for me. I would listen to no one and was determined to live life on my terms. What I was really looking for was happiness, but these selfish actions slowly led me to a life of rationalism and materialism. This self-enslavement, which began in college, lasted most of my twenties.
At the age of 28, I really began to wonder what the purpose of my existence in this world was. Instead of looking for the next relationship or good time, I began searching for truth in life and in the world. I had helped no one and had hurt the people who had dedicated their lives to my success and happiness.
This was also the first time I really fell in love with the foundation that is now my life, our triune God. In retrospect, God had been whispering softly to me throughout my whole adult life and now again was offering me the same gift of vocation he presented to me a decade ago.
During this time, my interior life grew immensely. I attended Mass daily and spent time contemplating God’s will for me in front of the Blessed Sacrament. I eventually contacted Father Kent Bowlds, vocation director for the Diocese of Jackson.
When I met with Father Bowlds, we discussed my prayer life and feelings about discerning a vocation. He was encouraging, but he asked me to wait six months to see if I still had the same feelings as I did at that meeting. Over the next year, I prayed, my feelings grew stronger, and I visited religious orders. Father Bowlds and I discerned God was calling me to discern priesthood for the Diocese of Jackson.
My life now is focused on the Eucharist and Jesus Christ crucified. Our Blessed Mother is essential in my discernment. I constantly seek her intercession to help me understand to what God is calling me. For the first time in my life I am truly happy.
At the present time, I am a second-year philosophy student and next year, God willing, I will be a first-year theologian. While there are a lot of activities with which one can involve himself, a seminarian’s time largely consists of studying and praying. With the guidance of formation directors, seminarians also focus on their human development so we can develop into the best human beings that God created us to be.
We also learn how to develop our interior spiritual lives so that if God chooses us for priesthood, we can, while living for others, maintain a strong intimate relationship with him. This relationship allows us to remember priesthood is not a right. Priesthood is a gift of which no one is worthy.
I trust and pray that through our formation at Notre Dame Seminary we will develop the tools to serve the people of the Diocese of Jackson in ways that are compassionate, loving, and true to the teachings of the church.
Humbly, I would like to thank Bishop Joseph Latino, Vicar General Father Elvin Sunds, and Father Bowlds for the opportunity to study for the Diocese of Jackson. In addition, a special thanks to the Knights of Columbus Council 1251 and to my parents for their support. Please pray for Pope Benedict XVI, Bishop Latino, all the priests and seminarians of the Diocese of Jackson, and for an increase in vocations in the diocese!
This vocation did not happen over- night. It has taken most of my adult life and two intensive years of discernment before realizing the Diocese of Jackson is where God has called me to serve. Reflecting on the life God has given me, this vocation began when I was a young man. For years, I loved participating in Mass as an altar boy. The memories of that experience are some of the happiest times of my youth; I did not realize the gift with which I was being presented.