Racing to the priesthood

(L-R) Cinnil Thomas (2nd-year seminarian), Deacon Mark Ha and Bran Grgic (3rd-year seminarian)

“I questioned myself, what is the meaning of my life?” Deacon Ha did not expect to receive an answer, let alone one from a Christian radio station at midnight. Upon hearing a warm voice declaring, “The Lord is my shepherd, and there is nothing I shall want”, Deacon Ha’s life took a drastic turn. 

“I pulled over to the side of the road, and I was in tears. Why do I need to worry if the Lord is really my shepherd?” His life transformed from something monotonous to what he now describes as utter freedom.

Before this defining moment, Deacon Ha admitted to a time when he had drifted away from his faith. “It was just work, come back home, eat, sleep, and then go back to work… I realised that I was running on an empty tank.” 

But now he finds himself racing to the priesthood, with his ordination in October just around the corner. “I’m looking forward to the priesthood,” he says. “God called me to do a life of service, and I am very happy with what I do.” 

Deacon Ha always thought that God was calling him to be a priest. “When I was young, I loved to hang around with the Franciscans and the brothers. I loved priests.” Even as a child, his “strong feelings for community life,” coupled with a desire to live a life of service, confirmed his calling to the priesthood. 

During his seminary years, he learned “to be patient and to hear God’s call.” He advises those discerning to “pay attention to your feelings—your experience in life is very important in discerning your vocation.” 

The life of a seminarian poses many financial and emotional challenges. Deacon Ha is grateful for the Great Shepherd appeal, which financially supports seminarians like himself to undergo seven years’ worth of study and formation. 

He acknowledges that it “costs a lot of money for a seminarian”, but he appreciates the other forms of support he has received. 

“The amount of support, not just financial, but also emotional and prayer support, is quite immense for us [seminarians].” 

• Anita Donaldson is a recent graduate of Campion College and is currently working as a parish youth coordinator for St Christopher’s Cathedral parish.