Phillip Zawislak, Our Lady of the Holy Souls, Little Rock

Attends the House of Formation in Little Rock

Why do I want to be a priest? Well, I have always felt a calling toward religious life. Not towards the monastic or consecrated laymen's life, but rather toward one that serves God and his people. And for the past few years, I have been struggling with this idea more and more.

Is the priestly life really for me? Is it really what I am called to do? Last year, I realized it was the path I was being called to. I was at Mass, and it was the first Mass celebrated by the newly ordained Father Daniel Wendel. As soon as the processional hymn began, I started to cry.

And all throughout the Mass, I cried. I asked God, "Is this what you want me to do?" And he said, "Yes." And from that moment on, I've been working toward the priesthood. Talking regularly with Father Hebert, Father Friend and praying for guidance. I don't know what the future holds for me, and I certainly don't know for sure if I'm going to be ordained, but I will put my trust in God. It's like what St. Paul said, "We walk by faith, and not by sight."

When I imagine being a priest, I often think about ministering to young people. I want to serve the middle schoolers and high schoolers who are struggling in their life. I want to help, protect and fight for what is right. I want to help young people realize God's love for them, and help them develop a deeper and more personal relationship with him.

All too often I see Catholic youth accepting society's version of good. Many people are misguided. I want to be the priest who goes out and preachers the truth, no matter what people might think and say. I don't want the Church to be silenced, to be condemned for its messages and teachings.

I don't want to sit around and not say or do anything while Satan pollutes the earth with his lies. I don't want to sit around and be the priest who preaches the truth about things like the immorality of abortion, but never does anything about it. I want to join the group of priests who are the face of the modern Church.

I want to show that the Church isn't a bunch of old men sitting around in the Vatican. I want to bring others to Christ, and I want to be the person that doesn't back down.

These might seem like bold ambitions. But all I need is faith. It's like what Jesus said, "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

That's the priest I want to be. I want to move mountains for God and his people.

If you wish to contact Phillip Zawislak, please e-mail Georgina Pena in the Vocations Office or call her at (501) 664-0340. This article was published Aug. 4, 2023. Copyright Diocese of Little Rock. All rights reserved. This article may be copied or redistributed with acknowledgement and permission of the publisher.