Getting to know the newly ordained: Geoffrey Young
Bishop , Discernment , Mission , Prayer , Vocation 1 Comment »By Geoffrey Young
I was born in Saskatoon on October 21, 1985, the third and youngest child of Maureen (Richelhoff) and Jerald Young. Prior to my birth, my family lived and farmed on land near Kerrobert, SK, which is my father’s hometown. My mother’s hometown is Major, SK and she became a teacher. I have an older brother Tyler (who is married to Odette) and an older sister Natasha (who is married to Shaun Bzdel). We have a close family, in which our Catholic faith has always been a priority. As a young child, I was taught to say prayers before bed and meals, we would go to Mass on Sundays, and I was encouraged as a young child to go to the Rosary club at my elementary school, St. Bernard. My favourite memories include playing hockey and spending my summers at Turtle Lake.
Following my Confirmation I became an altar server at Holy Spirit Parish (Saskatoon) and I continued this up until the time I decided to enter seminary. From an early age, I always respected priests – yet I didn’t understand much about the priesthood. I graduated from Holy Cross High School in 2003 and although I didn’t know what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, I had always been interested in politics, history, and religion. I studied for two years at the U of S, working towards a BA in Political Studies, but around this time I also began reading philosophy and theology, some works by Cardinal Ratzinger and Pope John Paul II.
Up until that point, I do not remember explicitly “thinking about being a priest”. In 2005, with the events surrounding Pope John Paul II’s death, I had an inexpressible conversion. During that year, I began reengaging with my faith. I remember asking myself “what is it that truly makes me happy in life?”
Looking back now, I can see moments throughout my early life in which I believe God was calling me subtly to the priesthood. But this vocation was most directly inspired by Pope John Paul II. By his witness and faithful priestly life, he showed the depth of his love for Christ and His bride, the Church. As a 19 year old young man with talent, ability to do many things, he found himself in a time of war – a dark time – yet he decided to give his heart totally to Christ, through the hands of Mary.
One Sunday Mass following Easter 2005, a Gospel was proclaimed about the call of a disciple, who gave his possessions to the poor and followed our Lord. Then when going for communion, I saw the image of one of the Stations in which Christ is condemned by Pontius Pilate. I felt God was calling me to a radical conversion from my much divided heart. But I didn’t know what this meant. After Mass, I don’t know why, I suddenly found myself asking the priest about the vocation. He said that if I desired to find out more, he would set up a meeting with Bishop Albert.
I didn’t hear back for about a month, which at first I thought was probably for the best; because I hadn’t really thought this out much! Eventually, I met with the Bishop a few times and over the coming few months, with his support, I discerned that I could finish my BA in Seminary while also discerning a vocation to the priesthood.
So I entered seminary, not knowing with any certainty, but trusting that God would continually guide me. In my heart, I believed in the words spoken by Pope Benedict XVI, “Do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away, and he gives you everything.” I simply took it one year at a time, and promised myself not to make a decision during turmoil but to complete the entire year.
During seminary, I know that I have matured in many areas; most especially in my spiritual life, my love of the Sacraments, knowledge of the faith, and for my love for the People of God. Throughout my future ministry as a priest, I will always centre my life on Christ – truly present in the Eucharist – and on a true devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Each year I find myself falling deeper in love with the Church I am called to serve and the sacred priesthood that is still today a gift from Christ to his beloved. I also find that I am a more joyful and loving person because I have heard that calling that fulfills my deepest longings.
My ordination to the priesthood will be June 10 in Saskatoon. I find it providential that Pope John Paul II will be beatified May 1, exactly 6 years after I decided to follow his example of priesthood and enter seminary. I know that he will remain to be a holy intercessor in heaven for myself and for all the youth of our Church.
Pope John Paul II said repeatedly to young people: “You are the hope of the Church and of the world. You are my hope.”
I believe that there are young men called to be priests in each of our parishes.
It is my prayer that our local Church will continue to foster a positive environment promoting vocations to the sacred priesthood. There are amongst us also young those who are called to be religious brothers and sisters; there also are the future married couples and families that will transform the Church and the world. I pray that many will discern their call to all forms of Christian life and love. Such a radical call is indeed counter-cultural; but it is life-giving – one of joy, peace, and fulfillment.
Pray for your priests, love them; and know that God will always remain faithful to his promise spoken through that young prophet Jeremiah: “I will give you shepherds, after my own heart.”
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