Gregorius Aero is a seminarian from the diocese of Surabaya, Indonesia who wants to become a priest.

"The story of my vocation began when I was 8 years old. Once we went with my mother to visit a grotto of the Virgin, we were there praying and I felt the Virgin calling me to follow the path of her son Jesus; it may seem a little strange to you, but I believe that this is the call of God through the Virgin, to be a priest.

After this moment, I directly told my mother that I wanted to be a priest. I thought my mother was going to think it was a child's joke, but my mother's reaction was totally unexpected, she told me that if I really wanted to be a priest I should keep this vocation that God sent me and also keep a close relationship with Him. And with this answer I realized that my mother wanted me to be a priest.

So I began to have activities in the parish and I was an altar boy. I entered the minor seminary when I was 15 years old. Life in the seminary for me was not very different from my life at home so I had a good adaptation.

The seminary is also an experience. There I grew both spiritually and personally. And I felt that my relationship with God was closer and my vocation also grew and I also learned to offer God everything.

The bishop proposed to send me to study at the International Seminary of Bidasoa; I have been there for more than a year, little by little I adapted and thanks to the formators and my companions I overcame the cultural and language barrier, the fraternity among the seminarians, the help of professors and formators do everything so that my vocation continues to grow".

I am very grateful because studying in Pamplona I feel the love of God, through the professors, formators, my classmates and you my benefactors. I feel that my stay here confirms my vocation to the priesthood. I thank God for calling me to this vocation and also thank you for your great help for this priestly formation.

Thanks to your generosity I am able to carry out my vocation. Thank you very much for using your resources for the formation of priests. May God bless you always.