I am very fortunate to be raised in a devout family. My parents always took my brother and I to Mass every Sunday, and during the day, while my parents were working, I spent my free time with my maternal grandparents and aunts and uncles, who are very pious French Canadians. My grandparents taught me my prayers (including the Rosary) in French, and I learned many different aspects of our Catholic Faith from them. My mother taught catechism in our home parish and my father, without fail, recited his Saint Jude prayer every morning.

As a result of this, during my time in grammar school and high school, I remained very close to the Church, often serving Holy Mass. Likewise, I began to read many books about the Catholic Faith and felt even more drawn to the priesthood in the sense of wanting to celebrate the Sacraments, teach others about Christ, and lead other people to a holy life. By the time I entered Providence College in September 2000, I knew that the time would be coming soon to enter seminary and progress on the road to priesthood. Although I applied to the diocese in the fall of 2001, I discerned that I was not yet ready to enter seminary, but I knew I still felt called to the priesthood. So while living at home, I attended the diocesan meetings for prospective seminarians, began taking the required courses in philosophy and theology, and prepared myself spiritually. In the fall of 2003, I entered the college seminary of Our Lady of Providence. After spending a year praying and living in the minor seminary, I was assigned by Bishop Mulvee to the Pontifical North American College in Rome, Italy to complete my studies for the priesthood. As of now, I am preparing to depart for Rome, the Eternal City, which is truly the heart of the Universal Church.

I must credit not only my family as my original priestly formators, but also the many excellent priests I have met over the past few years, who are too numerous to mention here. Many good friends have also come into my life during my discernment who also are progressing towards Holy Orders, both in the diocese and in religious communities. However, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge Father René Gagné, my spiritual director, who has provided me with such sound spiritual guidance. Father Gagné always emphasizes to me that the priesthood, above all else, involves total and lifelong fidelity to Jesus Christ, moral uprightness, and steady growth in priestly virtue. It is my prayer that I may imitate his example. Similarly, my pastor, Father Matthew Strumski, has greatly edified me by his deep love of Our Lady and his devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.

Our Lord Jesus Christ established the priesthood at the Last Supper, and the priest of today participates in the same authority and power that was conferred upon the Apostles when he is ordained to offer sacrifice, bless, and forgive sins. The priesthood is a life closely united to God, the Blessed Mother, and the Saints for the purpose of governing, teaching, and sanctifying the Church, and above all else, saving souls. In his daily life, the priest serves the Church first and foremost through prayer; most importantly, through his offering of Holy Mass and his recitation of the Divine Office, the common prayer of the Church which all priests must recite. Likewise, in celebrating the other Sacraments - in baptizing, absolving sins, witnessing marriages, and anointing - the priest acts in the person of Christ, with the aid of the Holy Spirit, to bring God's grace to the faithful. In his duty of teaching, whether it be to students in the classroom, to an engaged couple in his office, or even just speaking to an acquaintance in the hallway, the priest makes Christ, the Incarnate Word, present, so that their minds and wills may be illuminated with the truth and love of the Triune God. God the Father's providential governance of the universe is echoed in the priest's parish leadership and his fatherly concern for all of the people entrusted to him.

The priest must lead a holy life, imitating Christ, receiving the Sacraments himself, and practicing the virtues, especially priestly charity. It is only through this that the priest may grant God's grace to souls so that they may also be sanctified and strengthened against the many temptations of the modern world. The priest must follow Our Lord's admonition to take up the Cross and follow Him through the practice of self-denial and prayer. It is the priest's own self-sacrifice which grants him the great privilege to perform the noblest act known to man, which is worshipping God through the Eucharistic Sacrifice.

Our Blessed Lady, who is Queen of the Clergy, is also extremely important in the priest's life. She is not only the mother of Jesus, but also the mother of all priests, who must live and act as her Son did. I pray that the Blessed Mother will guide me along the path that God wills for me, just as she herself, at the Annunciation, submitted herself to the will of God.

In conclusion, I am grateful to God for the opportunity to serve Him and serve His Church, and I look forward to the day when I may live the beautiful and holy life of a priest!