It will take place on
The afternoon will include time for prayer, reflection, discussion and a social dimension.
'Come and See' Sunday 28 April 2024 - 2pm to 5pmI started thinking about priesthood when I was in active duty in the Defence Forces while serving in Collins Barracks, Cork. That was in 2019 in which the call became very strong from within my heart.
The priest in work helped me with my discernment and I received good spiritual direction from another priest in the diocese but overall the discernment group really helped in regards to focusing my mind on taking the next step to go on propaedeutic year in Spain. The discernment group was an exciting time to journey with other men and the diocese.
The propaedeutic year was a good year to build a solid foundation for the next step of my discernment. It was a year of reflection, prayer, travel and working on building the four pillars of priesthood which are the human, spiritual, pastoral, and intellectual needs of priesthood, all done in a lovely community setting of St Albans English College in Valladolid, Spain.
Alan McNamaraThe knowledge gained through my parents in the faith and teachings of the Church inspired within me a deep desire to serve God in the priestly vocation. My journey began as an altar server at a young age, where my fervent curiosity led me to contemplate the priesthood. Over time, this yearning evolved into the pursuit of a comprehensive understanding of my faith and its practices. Growing up in a Catholic household and actively participating in the Mass planted a seed in me – a perspective that sees people through the lens of God’s love. It has furthered in me a profound love for service, founded on the joy of sharing with others. My sole aim is to be a conduit of Christ’s light, radiating through a life of prayer and good works. Through the proclamation of the Gospel, I wish to inspire those I encounter to know and love.
My commitment to the discernment group has played a pivotal role in shaping my understanding of the priesthood and the responsibilities of a diocesan priest within the Church and wider society. Through discernment meetings, I had the opportunity to explore my vocation, contemplating my passionate aspiration to serve both God and humanity. These sessions have been instrumental in deepening my love for God through prayer, meditation, spiritual direction, adoration and the study of scriptures. The idea of pursuing the priesthood was accompanied by a strong belief and trust in this chosen path. Even before expressing my intention to the Vocations Director, I have been fortunate to receive unwavering support on this journey from my parents, siblings, relatives and friends.
Emmanuel Ezeh
