I Was Onstage With Steve Ray

[PhuturePriest]

So, I've lived a very privileged life. I've gone to the Midwest Catholic Family Conference every year of my life since I was four (So 13 years), and I'm so blessed, because I know so much about the Church that most people don't have the opportunity to learn. Another really privileged thing about the conference is you get to actually meet these world-renowned apologists if you want to. A short list of the ones I've met are Scott Hahn, Father Benedict Groeschel, Father Antoine Thomas, Father Andrew Apostoli, Patrick Coffin, I've met Tim Staples countless times, etc. But yesterday, I got the privilege of privileges, and my nerdy Catholic apologist dream came true.

 

So yesterday I went to a men's conference, and the key speaker who was going to give two of the five talks was none other than my favorite apologist, Steve Ray. I actually had the opportunity to meet him at the main conference two years ago, and I actually sat a few seats away from his wife, but I was too chicken to actually go up and talk to him. This time, however, I decided I would absolutely not do this. So when the first talk ended, I walked over and started speaking to him. On the outside, I acted quite calm, but on the inside I was totally freaking out and fangirling a storm. We got to talk about stuff, and then suddenly I decided I was going to tell him I was applying for the seminary this Fall. He was very interested and started talking to me about it and giving me all this wonderful advice and information, and then his talk was about to start, so I began to walk away, but he went "Hey wait!" and he gave me a huge stack of his CDs for free, which was pretty amesome.

 

So I went back to my seat to watch his amesome talk, and then afterwards we had confession and went to Mass and everything, and then we had lunch. After that, I was like, "You know what? That was so amazing, I want to talk to him again." So I went back, and he was really excited to see me again, and he started to introduce me to everyone within a teen feet radius. He was like, "Hey, what's your name? Joe? Joe, have you met Miles? He's from your diocese and he's going to be a seminarian one day!" and then he went on and told me how courageous I am and how I'm a hero, and I was like "I don't think I'm a hero or anything..." and he said "No, you are! Because the persecution in America is only going to get worse, and when the Bishop anoints your head one day, he's painting a huge target over your chest." So we started talking more, and then he gave me more stuff! He gave me an olive wood cross from Bethlehem that he touched to the dirt of Calvary and the walls of Jesus' tomb. Then he gave me a prayer card of Saint John Paul the Great that he got blessed by Pope Benedict XVI, and he also signed Jason Evert's new book, writing in it "I met John Paul II twice, and I pass his blessing to me on to you! God bless you and your entrance into seminary!".

 

So after that really amazing moment in time I was about to walk away, and then he went "Hey Miles, wait! So I'm going to do the final talk, and it's called "Living as a Catholic in a Neo-Pagan World", and it just so happens that at the beginning I talk about the courage of priests and those who pursue the priesthood in these worsening times. Would you mind if I called you up and introduced everyone to you?" and I was like, "Um, yeah!". So I waited like twenty minutes, and then his talk started. Five minutes in, he calls me to go over there, and so I do, and he goes "Everyone, this is Miles! He's from your diocese, and he's going to apply for the seminary this Fall! I want you all to pray for him, because he's making a very courageous decision in these bad times!" I kind of drowned out his voice at this moment because I couldn't believe I was onstage in front of 400 people with my hero, but then all of the sudden people started to give me deafening applause, and then I shook Steve Ray's hand, said thank you, and then walked off.

 

Afterwards, everyone was walking up to me and talking to me everywhere I went. I literally went to the bathroom and was bombarded by a group of guys in there.

 

If God didn't think any of that was enough, afterwards I got a message from my spiritual director telling me I'm getting my car in eight weeks.

 

Needless to say, I've been in kind of a daze ever since, and it's really inspired me to work even harder at school and dedicate my life to the priesthood.

 

Edit: I couldn't figure out why everyone was making a big deal out of it, but I learned that it's apparently very rare for men to consider the priesthood, let alone pursue it, and that's why everyone was amazed and applauding me.

 

I also feel kind of weird, because I don't feel like I've done anything amazing, courageous, or heroic, but I'm apparently in the minority when it comes to the people in that men's conference.

Edited March 30, 2014 by FuturePriest387

[Spem in alium]

This is so wonderful, Miles! I definitely understand why people are amazed. I'm so happy for you and will keep you in my prayers!

[PhuturePriest]

This is so wonderful, Miles! I definitely understand why people are amazed. I'm so happy for you and will keep you in my prayers!

 

I think people are overreacting, honestly. And trust me, when I say people are praising me too much, it says something. :P