Dean Spiller is 34 years old and a seminarian in the Archdiocese of Johannesburg, South Africa. Still surprised at his call to the priesthood, "a different path from those offered and exalted by the world."
"I have had the experience of following many different paths at various stages of my life. Some were my own decisions but at other times, I was swayed by the proposals that others offered me. While some of these ways brought me momentary happiness, I always asked myself: Is this my path? Is this really the most important thing in life? After a time of searching, I finally realized that the paths that had led me to a certain true and lasting commitment had always turned out to be those in which Our Lord guided me.
Once I realized that I really could not achieve true happiness without Jesus.I began to entrust my decisions to prayer so that he would guide my paths. At the beginning it was not easy, I was dragging bad habits in my life. Little by little, with the help of his grace, some good friends, spiritual direction and the sacraments, I became more open to the Lord.
I started with small decisions like what music should I listen to, should I accept these movies that my friend has pirated, and ended up with bigger ones: Should I take my vocation seriously and be open to leaving everything I have and the people I love to discover God's will for my life?. This was, I believe, one of the most important steps towards a more authentic Christian life and one that ultimately made me open to this call."
I am truly grateful to CARF and all my benefactors for their generosity and love, and I want them to know that I am praying for them as sisters and brothers.
After a time of prayer and discernment and many conversations with priests, Dean decided to take the opportunity, to "risk God"and talk to his bishop to be accepted into the Archdiocese as a seminarian. The fact that his bishop sent him to Rome to study "was an amazing moment for me, as well as another confirmation that I was doing this with God's blessing."
"I am humbled daily by the incredible generosity and service of everyone who makes it possible for us to be here.I am truly grateful to CARF and all my benefactors for their generosity and love. I am truly grateful to CARF and all my benefactors for their generosity and love, and I want them to know that I am praying for them as sisters and brothers."
What does a full scholarship consist of?
More than 800 bishops from all five continents request study grants for their candidates through scholarships. Thanks to benefactors like you, CARF meets most of the requests, but the needs are growing and we want all requests to be met.
In the graph you can see the composition of a full scholarship.
If there were no priests, there would be no Church. Let no vocation be lost for lack of resources.
Margarita, CARF donor
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