Br. John Pio's Vocation Story

As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a priest. As a child, I saw myself as a priest. At the Sunday Masses my Father took me to, I always asked for a piece of Juicy Fruit gum which I broke into when the priest fractured the Body of Christ. At home I dressed like a priest and play-acted Mass quite often. I was enthralled by the beauty of the liturgy, of heaven on Earth.

I always enjoyed being in the church. I associated the church with peace and solitude, both of which I sought as a young boy. I remember thinking that the priest, who I then thought lived at the church, must always be able to think and fell things without interrruption. I wanted to be able to do that too.

As a boy of twelve, I began to serve the Mass at the altar. After I was trained and commissioned, I served the earliest morning Mass on a daily basis. Mass was at 6:30 AM. I hardly ever missed. I loved serving the Mass and the priest. As I got more and more experienced, I was able to help the priest prepare the sanctuary for the celebration of the Mass. I developed good relationships with the priests of my parish over the years. They answered my questions, took an interest in me and encouraged me to keep the idea of vocation in my mind.

As a teen, I became very active in school liturgies and our parish's Lifeteen ministry. Quite often I helpd with the liturgical preparation and served the Masses as a lector, Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, music minister or server. I enjoyed all the possible ways I could serve the Mass.

As part of Lifeteen and as a Catholic school student, I also enjoyed working in the community in service to those in need. We focused on the hungry, the poor, and children. I was also asked to help teach younger students in my parish's catechetical ministry on Sunday mornings.

As an older teen, I began to date, which I certainly enjoyed. Even as I gave myself over to dating, from time to time the idea of becoming a priest would return to my consciousness again. I continued to be part of my parish and diocesan ministries. I became devoted to the Blessed Sacrament. I looked forward to holy hours in the solitude of the church, in the presence of the Lord.

When it came time to decide about college, I decided to attend the Franciscan University at Steubenville. I chose Steubenville because of the reputation of its students and faculty for their zeal and fidelity to the true Catholic faith. I visited Steubenville before registering and I as caught up by the hospitality and unfettered expression of the Spirit.

I also though that, were I to become a priest, my education at Steubenville would more than prepare me for service to the Church.

While a student at Steubenville, I continued to date. I was always upfront with women about the possiblity of my becoming a priest. I also became very active in the liturgical preparation committee for the University community. I enjoyed this very much. There is a rich treasury of recources in the Church's tradition and my service to preparation of the liturgy exposed me to more of the treasures than I had ever known.

As I countinued to entertain the possibility of priesthood, I engaged a spiritual director for my discernment. I spent countless hours in the Presence of the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. There were times I felt conflicted and divided. I wanted a clear definite answer from God. I wanted God to make up my mind for me.

When that was not forthcoming, I came to realize that through my own experience, over my lifetime, through my prayers and the prayers of others, thourgh the encouragement of priests and friends and in spiritual direction, I was being called to choose the priesthood.

As part of my discernment, I read about and visited many orders. This took place over several years of my young adult life. I always wanted to find the place to which God was calling me. It came down to the Carmelites. I read and re-read the spiritual writings and life stories of St. John of the Cross and Therese of Lisieux. Their writings and their struggles to do the Lord's will struck a chord in me. I seemed to be on the same path they once were. My visits with the Carmelites only confirmed that they were the ones to whom I should submit myself for service to the Lord and to His Church.

So now I begin the journey to vowed life as a Carmelilte. I believe this is what God wills. I am at peace.

More vocation stories