Seminarian Dylan Stefanich
Seminary, Class: Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, Philosophy I
Home Parish: Holy Cross Parish, Fort Branch
Birthday: May 13
The first time that I can remember hearing a call to priesthood was when I learned to serve the Holy Mass in third grade at Holy Cross Catholic School in Fort Branch.
I remember being so excited to be up close and personal with the action at the Mass, and, in particular, the moment of consecration - where the bread and wine actually become the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ. Although I did not understand what was truly happening at the time (and struggle to do so now), being in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament seemed to inspire my interest in the priesthood from a very young age.
This was bolstered by the care and reverence with which my pastor, Father Tony Ernst, performed the liturgy and celebrated the sacraments. He is a man of the Eucharist, and I have always looked up to him. So, seeing his love for our Lord and the way it manifested in his daily life prompted me to try and do the same.
On into high school and college, Adoration in front of the Blessed Sacrament and daily Mass became commonplace, as well. I found that the desire I had for Christ was only increasing and that He was calling me more intentionally as time went on. This deeper longing became more evident to me as my secular studies and original pursuits no longer seemed fulfilling.
By His humble, Eucharistic intervention, and His working through others in my life, Christ revealed that I needed to pursue the call I had heard long before I actually decided to do anything about it - the call to priesthood. So, that’s what I’m doing!