The Diocese of Austin recently hosted a video series entitled The Call. Father Chris Downey, who serves as vicar for priests for the Diocese of Austin, shared his journey to the priesthood.

Father Downey grew up in Pittsburgh, the youngest of seven children. He graduated from college and then worked as a salesman and a musician before he realized God was calling him to the priesthood.

“I thought that all of these things were going to give me the answers that my heart was yearning for, and they always seemed to come up a little bit short,” he said.

One day at Mass as the priest preached about vocations, the idea of becoming a priest began to sink in.

“I wrestled with God for about a year,” he said, but eventually decided to go to seminary. As it turned out, he enjoyed being in the academic and spiritual community.

“I felt a great sense of peace and purpose while I was in the seminary,” Father Downey said.

As a priest now for 17 years, he loves the priesthood and he loves ministering to the people of God.

“God is a God of surprises and God is faithful … he will provide what we need when we respond to his call in faith,” he said.

The Call can be found on YouTube (search “Diocese of Austin The Call”), and the videos have been shared on the Diocese of Austin Facebook page.