Early in my time in seminary, I was wandering down a hallway — about the most mundane place in the whole campus — when I had an epiphany. I had just heard a conference on the sacrificial nature of the priesthood, and at that time in my discernment, my chief struggle was the sacrifice of celibacy. I had an acute, daily awareness of my desire for a family of my own.
There in the hallway, it struck me that if the life of the priest is one of sacrifice for God’s people, what better sacrifice could a man offer than his greatest human desire? From there, discernment became a bit easier. I could see this sacrifice as a gift, given to God daily and pleasing to him. I wasn’t excited about it, but I could see the good of the sacrifice in God’s plan for me.
That epiphany was 10 years ago. In my many experiences as a priest, some heavenly, some mundane, I’ve been frequently aware of a consequence of that epiphany. Through my “yes” to God’s invitation, I’ve been given an unexpected fruit of a life of celibacy — joy.
Father Brian Becker
Diocese of Charlotte
St. Margaret Mary Council 13016
Swannanoa, North Carolina








