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FR PETER MC ANENLY - VOCATION TO PRIESTHOOD
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To Be Priest
As I visit primary schools everyday, working as Diocesan Advisor in Religious Education, one of the many questions which I am frequently asked is: Why did I want to be a priest. The question is often put to me by children as young as six or seven years of age, many of their teachers also ask the question and it's a question which is also asked many times in other places or situations…..people generally seem interested to know the reasoning behind my choosing to pursue this path in life…..they are eager to find out more about what influenced or inspired me…..they want to know what it was that made me say yes to this way of life as opposed to opting for another path or career choice.
And my call to priesthood is one which I often reflect on…..I think about the beginnings and the time when I first felt drawn or attracted towards priesthood. I was a young altar server in my local parish church along with many other young boys at that time and I believe that it was during those latter years in primary school when the idea of priesthood began to strike me. I can recall times when I would be serving as a young altar boy in Church and I used to look at our Parish Priest at that time, a man whom every one loved and deeply respected and I used to think of the good work he was doing and I used to think to myself that perhaps, one day I too might give of my life in this way.
As I got older and went to secondary school, there were times when I would deliberately try and forget that priesthood might be an option for me. Despite the fact that there were many times when the thought of living as a priest would occur to me, I often times tried to ignore the thought. Somehow, it seemed to me that it wasn't a popular choice to make, it wasn't the "cool" thing for a young man to do if you like and for that reason, I tried to ignore the possibility that God might have been knocking hard on my door! There was the fear too of course of how people would react and especially family and friends if I were to make such a choice…..there was that added pressure and so during those years in secondary school, it seemed best to deny reality and try to ignore what was going on deep inside me.
I can remember numerous times during those years and being in Church or being at assemblies in school and joining in prayers for more vocations to priesthood and religious life. I remember too joining in class discussions in school and the issue would be "vocations" and during these times, a chord would strike inside me and I would think that perhaps, one day it will be me. I remember too many times when people would ask me what I was going to do with my life and with their next breath they would say, maybe you will be a priest!
It was at times like these that I used to say to myself: Why is it that people are saying these things to me and not to one of my brothers or why is it to me and not to some of my friends? I used to be angered at times when people would have made such comments and yet in hindsight, I now recognise that those times were all part of my call…..it now seems to me that the Lord was using these people to be his instruments and to issue the call.
I have been blessed with very rich and positive memories of my childhood years and the times spent with my family at home. I was one of a family of eight and I cam in the middle of that line. There were many good times shared as a family and similar to any other family, we had our share of joys and also our struggles. My home was about many things but above all else it was a home where the faith was important. My mother and father were committed to living their own faith and in turn, they carefully passed it onto their children. We always went to Sunday Mass and more often, if possible. For the first Friday of every month, we went to the Sacrament of Confession and then to evening Mass. Things such as family prayer, the Rosary in May and October were always a priority. Every morning on our way to school, morning prayers were said as we travelled in the back of the car and I believe that the influence of prayer and the faith of our home also inspired me deeply on my journey towards priesthood. Our faith in God was deeply instilled and through the years, I grew to not only believe in God but also to love and to trust Him! Besides the prayers that we said and the faith which my parents shared, I recognise that much of the influence came from the way in which the faith was lived out at home and the positive care, support and affirmation which I received.
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