Daniel Gutierrez - Pontifical College Josephinum
My conversion has been one filled with blessings too numerous to count. Though I was baptized Catholic, I had little knowledge of or involvement with my faith. I often tell people that I was Catholic, I just didn’t know it. Until the age of eighteen I had been attending various churches, all of which were Protestant. My prayer life during this time in my life was practically nonexistent. And though I did not know of Christ’s true Church during this time, I did have moments where I really questioned the practices of these other denominations. Though I could not quite put my finger on it, I knew somehow that they were all missing something vital when it comes to one’s relationship with Christ and his fellow brothers. In other words, there was nothing metaphysical happening at the services and this made God seem so distant.
My freshman year of college I had started working and attending school at the University of New Mexico. At first I did not think too much of my part-time work-study job. Slowly I began to have many conversations with my boss, Victor, who happened to be Catholic. He talked with me of philosophy and theology. Though I had never been exposed to these subjects, I began to love them greatly. And we began to discuss some of the great Christian thinkers such as St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas. I was utterly fascinated by these men. I remember thinking, “These guys are not only smart, but they also use their brains to talk about God.” As my interest grew for these thinkers, I decided it was time to understand and explore the Faith which had been so mysterious to me for so long. Other than the few times I went to Mass with my grandfather, I had never understood the Mass and what it meant to me. Before I knew it I felt called to receive the rest of my Sacraments.
With Victor’s help, I began RCIA. I loved those meetings. I found out so much about the faith and with that knowledge, fell more and more in love with God and His Church. Now when I attended Mass, I knew what was happening and the love which God imparts on us through His Church. As my prayer life deepened and I continued to go to Mass I began to feel another calling, especially at the words of Consecration. This calling was different than the first, but nevertheless from God. I felt as if I was in the wrong role. As I looked upon the elevated host, I knew that I was meant to be up in the sanctuary.
At first, I had a lot of doubts about these feelings. I thought about other paths in life and no matter I considered, the tug in my heart told me to seek the priesthood. After talking with my pastor, Msgr. Doug Raun, and the vocations director at the time they advised that I attend the Archdiocesan Vocation Discernment Weekend. The weekend proved very helpful for me as I began to see more clearly that this disposition was indeed a calling. Soon I met His Excellency, Archbishop Michael Sheehan for my interview. He agreed that I indeed had a vocation and I began seminary a year later at the Pontifical College Josephinum.
I really have to say that I have been extremely blessed in every way. The Archdiocese has been giving me support in everyway possible. The seminary is a great place to discern one’s vocation and become formed for priesthood. I have to say that have never been happier than I am at this point in my life. I can honestly say that listening to God’s call is always a good choice.
