Thoughts on Priesthood:

Priesthood has withstood different challenges in different errors ranging from persecution to the most minute yet important aspects of life. Likewise there has been successive generations of priests whose hard work has seen the church to where it is today. The self emptying of Christ is the most perfect example of today's priests. It is with this in mind that I continue to carry on the journey towards the altar of God, so that, by emptying myself sacrificing all that I ever knew, I may become a servant to my fellow Christians in the Catholic Faith. To my understanding the priest is a servant he seeks to serve and not to be served. To pave the way for others to follow and not to tag along the journey.  To lighten the burdens and worries of fellow Christians through Christ whom he represents.

Why I want to be a Priest:

My wish is to serve the people of God in the light of the teachings of the Church and her Tradition. This is to be achieved by living out the word which is the fountain of our faith and hope. I have come Many Miles from Home driven by this passion to zealously and faithfully execute my pastoral duties responding to each according to His/her need.

Tell us about your family as you grew up and when you started thinking about being a priest:

This zeal came as a result of being brought up in a Catholic tradition. As the last born in a family of four boys I took a path different from the rest of my brothers. They played an important part in my faith formation and nurture. My parents saw to it that I received the sacraments of baptism and confirmation on time and ensured that I practiced the faith which they faithfully practice to date. They have remained in holy matrimony for more than four decades and as i began to discern the possibility of becoming a priest, they assured me of their support and prayer. They also taught me that nothing comes without challenges and that challenges should be expected especially in a delicate mission like that of the Priest.

What inspires you about the priesthood?

I came across missionary priests from an early age and grew up under their influence.  They became the point of reference in my religious life. I wanted to model my life on theirs since they had chosen not themselves but everybody else whose path and theirs met at different points. By choosing to become a Priest I set myself free for the service of others whose paths and mine will cross at some point and time. To these I wish to be available to answer when they call, to stretch out my arm and support them when they stumble.

Who have been your hero's and what has been your influences?

Saints Augustine of Hippo and Paul the evangelist have been my favorite Saints. Their Zeal and courage is to me something to be emulated by all Christians.

The most inspiring aspect of the priesthood to me is the fact that a priest seeks reflect as much as he can the love of christ to his people. To do this he must "decrease while the Lord Increases in Him". This is the self-emptying of the priest, a total surrender to the will of God.