Father David Lawrence

Hearing God’s voice is the essence of any vocation. But very often vocational discernment involves more than just hearing, it involves obeying. In order to obey God’s voice our hearts need to be softened, and this happens through prayer.

I grew up in Addison and attended public schools. After High School I went to the University of Illinois at Champaign to study Chemical Engineering. It seemed that I had my future all planned out. I thought I would eventually get married, have a big house, and a bunch of kids. So I began dating.

One young woman I dated was a strong Catholic who led me closer to the church. I began to consider what God was asking of me. I prayed asking God whether or not I should marry the woman I was dating. It was not an easy time of prayer though. It was more like a wrestling match. God was not forthcoming with a "Yes" or "No" answer. All I heard in prayer was "wait". And I didn’t want to wait.

The prayerful wrestling match went on for months. Eventually I gave up the struggle against God and waited. At this point (finally) my heart was soft and obedient to the Lord.

It was about a month after I submitted to God in prayer that He called out to me through the associate pastor at my home parish. Father simply asked me if I had ever thought about becoming a priest. I hadn’t, but I knew that I had to. After that, discernment was a smooth process. Priesthood and celibacy seemed like realistic possibilities.

Father David Lawrence was ordained a priest in 1997.

For more information on diocesan priesthood contact:

Father Burke Masters

Joliet Diocese Vocation Director

402 S. Independence Blvd.

Romeoville, Illinois 60446

Phone: (815) 834-4004

E-mail: frburke23@aol.com 

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