Mathias Thelen 

Theology II
Sacred Heart Major Seminary
Home Parish: Most Holy Trinity, Fowler

Interests: music - piano, guitar, singing, baseball, softball, volleyball, football, fishing

I began to seriously think about priesthood around my junior year in high school. I was attending a youth group in Westphalia. This is the place where I heard the Gospel presented with enthusiasm.

I continued to pray about priesthood while enrolled at Grand Valley State University. I met an anti-Catholic who started interrogating me about the faith. I didn't really know how to respond to her. I attended the Apologetics seminar by Jim Burnham at St. Gerard Parish, Lansing. It was at this seminar where the seeds of understanding were planted. I started reading about the Catholic faith. These books along with prayer led me deeper into the life of Christ.

I began to defend the Catholic faith on campus. I kept reading and studying. With frequent practice of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, l started growing in holiness. This process entailed breaking up with my girlfriend and trying to find someone who had the same love for the Church.

By the time I found someone who shared my values, I decided I wanted to be a priest. Fr. Tim MacDonald helped me see that service to others is one of the best ways to serve Christ. I had to give up the girl of my dreams to pursue serving Christ and His Church. Through ardent prayer, l’m here as a seminarian in the first year of theology. I pray for the grace to follow God's will.