I never again doubted my vocation

I was 15 years old, and attending the Sacred Heart of Jesus Seminary in Corupá (Brazil), when I came to the conclusion that I did not have a vocation to the priesthood. I thought that it was prideful to believe that God was calling me rather than so many others throughout the world! I concluded that I had better go home.

But since our retreat for seminarians was to last another three days, I said to myself: why not experience it to the end, it will help me get through this important stage of my life?

I spent much of the retreat in front of the image of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, asking for her maternal protection after I left the seminary.

During the rest of the retreat I felt a great peace envelop me and I completely forgot my decision to leave the seminary!

I remembered this feeling only several weeks later, but I felt so good, so calm whenever I thought of my vocation to be a priest and religious that I understood that my place was there. I never again doubted my vocation after that.

Archbishop Murilo Krieger

Vice President of the Conference of Bishops of Brazil and Primate of Brazil

Exclusive Interview by Thácio Siqueira for A Moment with Mary