Paul Erickson

College IV
St. John Vianney Seminary
Home Parish: St. Andrews, Saline

Interests: Capoeira, soccer, philosophy (metaphysics), music

I got a pull toward the priesthood somewhere in the fall of 2005. I, at first, was not happy about it at all. My girlfriend and I were nearing our two-year anniversary and I didn't want to be thinking about leaving her at all, especially since we would be spending two weeks together in the summer at World Youth Day. Also, I was quite happy at Eastern Michigan University and didn't really want to leave. So, I decided that I would ignore the call. It eventually got too big to ignore, so I tried to fight it; tried to convince God that I knew what was better for me than He did.

Well, it turns out that fighting a vocational call is a very bad idea. Just trust me on that one. So, I did what I had to and told my girlfriend about it. She's an awesome girl and a very good Catholic and was very supportive...or at least as supportive as could be expected. After a few months of prayer, I still was undecided about what to do, so I stayed another year at EMU in a household for Catholic men attending the university. That was a great place to discern, a wonderful environment to pray and by prayed with. Surrounded by my brothers, I decided that, by the grace of God, I would enter the seminary in the following year.

Now that I am here at the seminary, I can't believe that I ever didn't want to be here. I will be the first to admit that it's full of difficulties and trials, but the fruit that it bears and the character that it builds is unmatched anywhere. I am truly blessed to be part of how the Holy Spirit is sweeping through the youth at this time. I'm very excited and proud to be called a Seminarian for the Diocese of Lansing.