HOW ONE MAN ANNOUNCED HIS PRIESTHOOD

There was once a man whose father died early and his mum single-handed had to fend for him and his siblings. He was the first born and so often, he gave his mother a helping hand. He grew to be very fond of her. He was also very moved by her suffering and once in a while, they would cry together. Somewhere along the line, he started developing the idea that since they were both very religious, he could join the priesthood and say mass for his mother and even departed father. He also developed admiration for the local priest who was like a family member of theirs. As time went on, the boy admired the priest more and more. One day he gathered courage, went up to him and told him he too would like to be a priest. The priest was happy and from that day he started grooming the boy. Nonetheless, when he applied for priesthood, he did not tell his mother; for fear that she might take it badly. It was only when he was given a letter at school indicating that he had been admitted at the Minor Seminary that he now decided to tell his mother about his priesthood dream. Even so, he did not know how to put it to her. That day, when he returned from school he stood in the yard and called out to his mother: “Mother, are you there?” “Yes, I am, son” Then he went nearer to the door. Standing in the doorway, he told his mother: “Mother, I have something very important to tell you but I want to stand right here and say it” “Won’t you come in first, son?” “No; mother. I will stand here. I will stand here and say it. But if you don’ like what I say, I will go away and you’ll never see me again” “Is it that bad, then, my son?” “No, mother. It’s not bad. It’s good. It’s very good. In fact I like it very much. That’s what I want to do.” “Mother, I want to be a priest!” At that point, the boy’s heart beat faster and he had to hold his breath because he felt like he was going to faint. His mother ran towards him and hugged him. Both of them were crying with nobody being able to say anything. After some time, the mother stopped crying, wiped her tears and declared: “Oh God, thank you for this!” Turning to her son, she said: “Son, this is the best thing you have ever told me. From when you were very young, I prayed that you should one day become a priest. God has answered my prayers! That is what I always wanted you to do” ________________________________________________________ FOOTNOTE This account is adapted from a true story recounted to Daddy Christ at Foundation Radio, FM 100, The Voice of the Voiceless, Mile 6, Mankon, Bamenda.