Douglas Villanella

The first inclination of me being a priest came to me around the age of five. Afterwards,
most of my thoughts and actions revolved around this idea. I often “played” Mass with siblings
and other catholic family friends, and was always the priest. My mother even made small
vestments for me. This idea stuck with me throughout all of my childhood; it was all I wanted to
do when I grew up.

I was blessed to grow up in a household where our faith was strong and was definitely
our top priority. We always went to Mass when it was required, and we frequented to
sacraments. My desire for the priesthood remained throughout my childhood, but wasn’t
necessarily the first thing on my mind for about two years in my early teens. I still wanted it, I
was just less passionate about it , and discerned other possibilities to rule them out.

When I was close to turning 18, my parents told me that I had to start figuring out what I
was going to do with my life. So my first thought was, “Priesthood, but should I go to a religious
order, or the diocese?” After doing some research and praying for clarity, I decided to call the
diocese. This was where my heart was pulling me so I started the process for this path, and here I
am!

In my year of discernment before entering the seminary, and in my first few months as a
seminarian, I have found it spiritually enriching and I have learned a lot about myself, and the
call to the priesthood. I feel very blessed and honored to discern such a marvelous vocation as
the priesthood.

Thanks be to God and our Blessed Mother!