Of Valentines and Vocations

By Natalie Jacob

Anyone familiar with Fr Mike Schmitz of Ascension Presents would know that he’s the host of the very popular Bible in a Year and Catechism in a Year podcasts. He also happens to be a very attractive man.

American priest and orator Photo by: The Catholic Weekly

With priests in general, and very handsome ones in particular, people often wonder about their journey to consecrated life, the discernment process, and if there was a girl in the picture at the time. In Fr Mikes’ case there was indeed a girlfriend, someone he was intent on marrying. He tells a sweet story about her reaction to his revelation that he believed God was calling him to be a priest.

In his words, “She [the girlfriend] said, ‘It’s okay. I knew this was a possibility before we started dating. If this is what God wants for you, then this is what God wants for me too. If He is calling you somewhere else, I know He’s calling me somewhere else, too’.” I am amazed at the profound insight in these words. These are the words of a disciple, someone who knows God wills her best in every circumstance.

It should be the desire of every Christian to know and do the will of God for our lives. We women understand this on an intellectual level for every other aspect of our life, except, it seems, our love life. When the heart is involved, we know to ask all the important questions related to dating and long-term relationships. Is he Mr Right? Would he make a good husband? Do we share the same values? Is he financially stable? Are we compatible? Do I want to have children with this person? Catholic women, I think it’s time we add one more question to the checklist – is God calling this man for himself?

As Catholics, we know that love and marriage is not the only call God places on the heart of men and women. There is also the call to love and service in the vocation of religious life and the priesthood. And if we’re being honest, we know that too many men either answer this call too late or sadly, not at all. If we are going to invest time and energy in a relationship, then don’t we owe it to ourselves to encourage our significant others to explore all their options for a vocation, a lifelong commitment? Even the priesthood? I think we do. Because 1, we would not want to find ourselves playing second best to God. And 2, we wouldn’t want to miss our chance to discover where God is really calling us, what greater good He has in store for us. We’re worth the very best too.

To hear Fr. Mike tell his story