Luke first thought of being a priest at the age of 5.  He and his family went to weekly Mass, and he was so impressed with Father Edward that he started playing Mass at home.  With a bathrobe for a vestment, a cup of fruit juice for the chalice, carrot slices for hosts, and an assortment of 3 younger siblings and stuffed animals for a congregation, “Father Luke” was loving life. 

As the years went on, he quickly outgrew his “make-believe Masses,” but he always held onto his love for the Eucharist.  (It didn’t take him long to realize that the real Blessed Sacrament was infinitely more valuable than sliced carrots.)

His devotion to the Church, the Eucharist, and Mary were so strong that Luke actually felt out of place in high school.  In his small public school he never found anyone with whom he could share his faith.  To make matters worse, his beloved pastor, Father Edward, had been transferred to a different parish.  His successor was an old priest that didn’t seem very friendly.  The combination of these two influences was perhaps why Luke never spoke to anyone about his consideration of a call to the priesthood. 

Instead Luke just looked forward to graduation and finally getting to college.  For years he had planned to attend a faithful Catholic college in the Midwest.  Upon his arrival there, Luke found what he had always wanted: a community of like-minded, faithful, happy, young Catholics.  There he developed numerous friendships, grew in his faith, and fell in love. 

This love manifested itself in many ways, but in none more powerfully than in his love for Maura.  Maura seemed to fulfill everything that was missing in his life.  She was filled with joy, life, energy, but she was also someone with whom he shared his faith.  They both loved the Church, the Eucharist, our Blessed Mother, and the Scripture and Tradition of the faith, and they loved each other.  To be sure, by the end of Luke’s first year at college, he thought he had found the one that he would marry.  

Luke’s desire didn’t waver until his senior year.  He and Maura were taking part in a senior retreat as a way for them to get ready to make the transition to post-graduate life.  Part of the retreat was a vocation talk given jointly by a priest, a nun, and a married couple.  The sister’s talk was wonderful; the married couple spoke with inspiring love; but when the priest spoke, something clicked inside of Luke.  He was sure then and there that the Lord wanted him to enter the seminary. 

As sure as he was of the call, he was very reluctant to tell Maura.  When he did though, he was once again reminded why he loved her so much.  Maura’s response was loving and supportive.  “Who am I to try and fight God for someone?” she asked.  “Go, enter the seminary.  And if it doesn’t work out…if we are meant to be together, God will let you know.”

Luke spoke to one of the priests on campus, and then contacted his Vocation Director back in his home diocese.  He was going to graduate with a degree in accounting in May.  Shortly thereafter he began filling out the applications for the seminary.  The process was thorough but proceeded smoothly. 

Since he already had an undergraduate degree, he thought that he would begin studying theology in the fall.  However, before the beginning of theology, Luke would have to complete a two year pre-theology program.  It was explained to him that this was for two reasons.  First of all, in order for one to begin the in-depth study of theology, he must first have a solid foundation in philosophy.  Therefore a large share of Luke’s class time for the next two years would be given to the study of philosophy—learning how to think and know about the great questions of life.  Secondly, the pre-theology program was necessary to get used to the structure of seminary life—the rhythm of community prayer, class, meals, formation, and recreation. 

After his two years of pre-theology, he began his four years of education and formation in theology.  Following the third year he was ordained a deacon.  Then after his completion of his studies, he was ordained a Priest of Jesus Christ.  At his First Sunday Mass, Maura, her husband, and their first child were sitting right behind Father Luke’s parents and 3 siblings—all of them smiling broadly.