Pain leads to path to formation
By Catholic Register Staff
Bradley Markus’ vocation to the priesthood began 25 years ago, at the age of one, when his father passed away on Good Friday.“In the midst of this world of suffering and pain, my vocation, my path in life was formed,” he said.
“I was schooled in what I think is the most important lesson in life — the lesson of what it means to truly love and the lesson of what it means to suffer with others.”
But until he was 17, Markus was unaware of this call. After spending a number of years in foster care and being uninvolved in the faith outside of First Communion and Confirmation, Markus began “searching for a greater meaning in life, something beyond drinking and partying and going out with friends.”
This search led him to a March break retreat, where Markus said he found what he was looking for.
“From the first moment I opened my heart, I knew that God did exist, that it mattered if I believed in Him, that it would make a difference in my life,” said Markus.
Markus entered the seminary in 2004 and will be ordained as a priest for the diocese of Hamilton in the spring.
“People will look to me and call me father,” said Markus, “hopefully because I can... suffer with and lead others to the joy and peace that we long for, and that only God, our heavenly Father, can give.”
