Deacon Victor Wesolowski - "God said, 'How about now?'"

life experience · perseverance · prayer · people · seminary for older men · spirituality

Victor answered the call to the priesthood at the age of 46 after receiving the call on and off throughout his life.

The first time he recalls thinking about the priesthood was in second grade at his first Holy Communion.

“At that time most Catholic boys thought about being a priest. We played ‘Mass’ as kids with cut-up sheets for vestments, handkerchiefs for purificators and cutouts of white bread for the host.”

Victor’s family moved around a lot when he was young living in small towns and large cities in Ohio, Michigan and Illinois. He attended Catholic High School in Tiffin, Ohio and made an overnight visit to the Pontifical College Josephinum at that time.

“So much was going on in my life then. Girls and college – I went to the University of Toledo to study Political Science.”

Victor visited St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana while in college. The call was still present to him, but as Victor describes it, “God gives us a choice and I wasn’t ready.”

When Victor graduated college, a friend offered him a job at his law firm in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. Victor ran the real estate side of the business at the law firm for 15 years until 2000.

Then over the next three years, Victor worked as the Investigator for the Public Defender’s Office.

“Unfortunately I saw a lot of troubled people. My role was to do the best I could to help the people.”

Victor was active in local politics in Mt. Vernon and developed social justice beliefs working on several community boards, including The Salvation Army, Mental Retardation, the Metropolitan Housing Authority, and the Visitors Bureau.

“I am a much better person because of these experiences.”

Victor was an active parishioner at St. Vincent de Paul church in Mt. Vernon where he served as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, and Altar Server Coordinator. One day when a funeral and a school trip coincided, with only one priest in the parish, Victor realized the dire need for priests.

“I thought to myself, I need to get serious about this call.”

Victor contacted the Vocations Director at that time, Fr. Matt Hoover, and they talked on and off over two years.

In July, 2003 Victor decided to enter seminary. Since he was 46 at the time, Victor was a candidate for the seminary for older men, Blessed John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts, near Boston. To prepare, Victor enrolled at the Josephinum for study in pre-theology.

“I wasn’t getting any younger and I had waited long enough. I wanted to have some time to serve the church. I didn’t want to get ordained and collect social security.”

After a year at the Josephinum, Victor entered Blessed John XXIII National Seminary with other men in their 30s, 40s, and 50s and beyond.
“The oldest man here will be 70 when he is ordained,” said Victor.

“These men are going to be parish priests. Sure the academics are important, but there is an emphasis on pastoral care and spirituality.”

At seminary, Victor has encountered older men from all backgrounds, either never married, like himself, some divorced with annulments, and others whose wives are deceased. Their previous professions vary: doctors, professors, and business professionals. Victor’s class has 17 men graduating.

“In my vocations talks, I make sure that I address it to men of all ages. The call can consider the priesthood at any time,” said Victor.

Victor enjoyed the opportunities in seminary to minister to people at hospitals, help at a Catholic elementary, teach RCIA, and preach and baptize as a deacon.

“I enjoy working with people. Talking to them, getting to know them and helping them with their problems.”

“Older men bring experience and wisdom. While younger men might have more vitality, we have had a lot of responsibilities in our lives, jobs and mortgages, and we have seen a lot of life and we have a lot to offer.”

When asked whether God keeps calling someone and if the call can be ignored, Victor responds that “God is a jealous lover. He keeps offering it to you. You can say no. God is gracious and He tries again later. This is a call. It is not like deciding to be a lawyer or an engineer. When He calls you to religious life, you have the free will to say no, but He doesn’t stop asking.”

Victor didn’t experience any doubts about his call once he entered seminary. “I thought about it my whole life. But as ordination approaches, we all ask ‘Are we capable of this great honor? Can we do it?’ ”

He also prays that Christ and the Blessed Mother strengthen him to serve as a priest.

For graduates from Blessed John XXIII National Seminary, many who dated or who were married, learning to develop and maintain new relationships with women, and all parishioners, is an important aspect of seminary preparation and something that Victor looks forward to as a priest.

“It has been 5 years to read, think and be formed in God. I have had a lot of challenges in my life. I lost both of my parents tragically many years ago so I have seen hardship and relate to people in their struggles. I realize that God has been very good to me. I have seen His hand involved in my life.”

In looking forward to his priestly ordination on May 24th, 2008 Victor says that he is glad for the experience as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Altar Server and Deacon to get used to being in front of people. He has enjoyed his experience as Deacon and is excited to take the next step as an ordained parish priest.

“One of the ways I know that this is right is that I am happy,” said Victor. “A brand new door is about to be opened.”