Art, media, talents to help others encounter Christ

The Catholic News posed a few questions to Rev David Villafana, who was a week away from his ordination to the priesthood on Wednesday, May 20, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

Q: What led you to discern a vocation to the priesthood, and how has that sense of calling deepened during your years in formation?

In my childhood years, I was always drawn to the statues of Our Lady and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I simply wanted to be in the church and remain in their presence for as long as I could.

As I entered my teenage years, the question of vocation began to follow me constantly—through my grandmother, my mother, priests such as Fr Benedict Hilaire, Fr Michael Makhan, and Fr Peter Hill CSsR, and even members of my youth group.

Whenever the word ‘priest’ was mentioned in connection with my name, I would cringe. Deep down, I knew there was a possibility, but in my own way I would always respond, “Nah… not now.” Yet the calling never left me.

In many ways, I tried to ignore it because I was learning how to fit in, to be ‘cool’, and to follow the mould that society seemed to value at the time. However, the more I resisted Christ’s call, the stronger it became. It revealed itself through a growing desire to sit quietly in His presence, through reading Scripture, and through moments of reflection I did not fully understand at the time.

Recently, a friend reminded me that even years ago, I often spoke about priesthood in a way that already sounded comfortable and natural, though I did not recognise it then. There were even moments in my early twenties when I drifted away from God, yet He continued to pursue me patiently and persistently.

Over the years in seminary formation, I have come to realise that God also deepened my artistic gifts as a path toward Him. Whether through film, painting, digital media, or storytelling, He drew me closer through creativity, transforming my art into a unique form of prayer, encounter, and discernment. That experience remains deeply rooted in who I am today.

As someone who is naturally introverted, I have discovered that God often works quietly and mysteriously. Before you even realise it, He gently moves your heart, forms you, and reminds you that you belong completely to Him.

Q: What aspects of priestly ministry are you most looking forward to after ordination?

Without a doubt, evangelisation and ministry with youth are areas deeply close to my heart. My own vocation was nurtured and strengthened by young people who challenged me, supported me, and helped me see life through the lens of Christ. Because of that experience, I feel called to give that same gift back to the Church. Many young people today know about the faith intellectually but struggle to truly fall in love with Christ and experience Him in a deep and personal way.

In my encounters with youth and young adults, I have realised that many are incredibly intelligent, creative, and insightful often teaching me a thing or two myself, yet spiritually they are searching for peace, meaning, and someone willing to genuinely listen to them.

Beneath many struggles is a deeper longing for belonging, healing, and authentic encounter. That reality requires more than quick answers; it requires accompaniment, presence, and compassion.

As I prepare to step into priesthood and pastoral ministry, I hope to journey closely with young people and young adults, especially as someone who still understands many of their realities and struggles.

I believe many people are not necessarily rejecting God but are trying to carry life without Him. In a world that constantly repeats the same promises yet often leaves people spiritually empty, the Church continues to offer something timeless and life-giving.

As a child of the Synod and someone who believes deeply in a listening and missionary Church, I believe the Gospel remains as relevant today as it was over 2000 years ago.

Despite changing cultures, philosophies, and ideologies, the message of Christ continues to endure because it speaks to the deepest desires of the human heart. Perhaps now more than ever, people are being invited to come back, sit at the table, and encounter Christ anew.

Q: What have been the greatest challenges in your journey through seminary and diaconal ministry, and how have they strengthened your faith?

I think being compared to another priest or a group of priests in the Archdiocese (and they are magnificent priests in our circles today, don’t get me wrong), but was not given the space to say this is me and this is who God has called into priestly ministry.

Even in the diaconal state, I would be constantly told to be this kind and I often wonder, “am I enough?” However, turning lemons into lemonade or even adding it to pasta, it strengthened me as I remember in my prayer, I heard God saying that I need to dig deeper to what they are saying. And that is, they are seeing the vocation of priesthood in you and maybe (the maybe is me speaking now) I need to add some of their characteristics to my ministry and not my personality.

So, in my ministry, I am inspired by the priests I live with and see them as family and even guidance in the journey that is always a formation for me.

Q: How has your understanding of obedience, celibacy, and a life of service evolved as you prepare for priesthood?

I believe Pope Francis of beloved memory said this, and I believe it taught me a lot, especially in this question, he said at a World Youth Day Mass to go and “make a mess”.

I think nothing more beautiful could have ever been said to a bunch of youth.

My rector, Fr Jason (Boatswain) used to hum that near me from time to time that “we fall down but we get up.” And in case he is reading this, yes, I have been listening. I just had to put on my straight face at the time.

Growing up in one community of my home, to church, to school, shaped me one way but the seminary opened me up to the pillars of formation (Spiritual, Intellectual, Human, and Pastoral) which was where the mess began, breaking down what I became comfortable with and looking at my life of becoming a spiritual father with boundaries, with respect for the human person, and just being present and that is where love abides because Christ does it every day in the Eucharist and that’s why we are His. To continuously work on and improve through Him, with Him and in Him.

Q: What roles have prayer and the sacraments played in sustaining you throughout your formation?

The sacraments have revealed to me that I have a goal and a purpose with God, His creation, His people, and all in whom He presents to me daily. It is a cross that shows how to endure suffering to become His, in this life and in the next.

Prayer solidifies that. It goes hand in hand with the faith the sacraments give. Prayer also reveals to me to check with the Creator first, before doing His work which He has called me to be set apart from. Stripping the old version of me and entering His purpose. It is never easy. However, time reveals.

For me, formation is not a bed of roses. It requires that you must submit, even if it is you are at the point of kicking and screaming, as it is something that you not familiar with and it is only then when you, like St Ignatius of Loyola, “open your eyes a little” to see the bigger picture.

Being a deacon, I fell in love with the Sacrament of Baptism and I love journeying with the parents and seeing the child being transformed and enveloped in God’s redemptive love in the water that keeps replenishing itself for our salvation.

My heart feels warm when I welcome a child and his/her family to the arms of Christ who is just waiting on us.

As a youth with my old lens I did not understand this, but as a man on a journey to Christ in the priesthood, the experience, the relationship adds fire to my spiritual life and my human heart.

Q: Who have been the most influential mentors, priests, or laypeople in your vocation journey?

To answer this off the cuff, my mother. I have seen her grow like me in this journey and become one of my rivals in this spiritual realm. When I left home to enter the Aspirancy programme, she took some time to come to terms with my decision. But deep down, she knew I was not going anywhere. She and I have really become companions on the journey. She inspired my artistic ability, and my mother had her own crosses to bear, even to today. Like me, she smiles and rejoices through it all and she glows in her steps as Christ guides every one of them.

So many priests that are living and in another life like Fr Bunty for sure, Frs Rochard, Makhan, Hill, Khan, Spence, Duncan, McIsaac, Henriques (Jamaica) and even those who journeyed with me in seminary, Frs Peter St Hillaire, Kenwyn, Kwesi, Darril Thomas (Dominica), Joseph Lucas (Jamaica) and too many more to add here.

So many saints have inspired me as well, but the two whom I am drawing to the most besides St Michael who started this vocation story for me, St Martin de Porres and St Anthony of Padua.

Q: What message would you share with young men who may be discerning a call to the priesthood?

If you have ‘maybe’ in the sentence or your statement, then that’s the moment to give it a try. A lot of men think when they enter that priesthood is the ultimate goal. In my experience, that’s only a small part of it. There is a huge part that you need to work on in order to accept the gift of Holy Order and that is, in local parlance, see about you being ah man first.

You are a man, a son created by a loving God who gazes upon you with kindness and mercy. Becoming a priest doesn’t change you, becoming the best son God chose you to be does, and dying to self and really hear Him saying ‘yes’. Do it! Not all are called, but the lessons you learn from entering formation, sits with you for years. The world will shape you and break you every day. You have been given the gift of free will. This should not be a force or something that a bunch of church ladies see in you, especially if they are not willing to give up their son or grandson to Christ.

You chose to love Him, and you take that option to love Him even in fear or uncertainty. It’s not something that one can do as some magic trick. That is for theatre. What do you have to lose?

Q: What do you see as the greatest spiritual and pastoral needs of the Church today, and how do you hope to respond as a priest?

As one soon to be ordained, I believe one of the greatest spiritual and pastoral needs of the Church in the Caribbean is reaching people, especially the youth, who are searching for hope, identity, and belonging in a rapidly changing world shaped by secularism, violence, migration, and digital culture. Many desire an encounter with Christ but often need the Church to speak to them in ways that are meaningful and relatable.

As a future priest, I hope to respond through the gifts, art, and talents God has given me, particularly through media, film, storytelling, and digital evangelisation. I believe beauty, creativity, and communication can become powerful ways of proclaiming the Gospel and creating spaces where people can encounter Christ and feel connected to the Church.

Alongside the sacramental and pastoral ministry of the priesthood, I hope to use these talents to inspire faith, foster community, and bring the message of hope and healing to the Caribbean people.