The ordination of 13 priests on May 25 is fast approaching. Ahead of their ordination, two men — Deacon Derek Gilde from St. Mary in Stillwater and Deacon Alexander Rasset from St. Francis Xavier in Buffalo — shared their journeys to the priesthood on this week’s episode of “Practicing Catholic” with producer Kayla Mayer.
Deacon Gilde grew up as a Lutheran and received a robust formation in his faith. He wanted to become a Lutheran pastor but found that he had unresolved theological questions. Instead, he became a social worker — a field in which he felt that he could serve God in another way.
Eventually he met a pastor who introduced him to the writings of St. Augustine and C.S. Lewis, piquing his interest in the Catholic faith. After reading the Catechism of the Catholic Church and speaking with Catholics, he converted and later joined the seminary.
Despite his winding road toward the priesthood, Deacon Gilde said he is confident that it was all providentially ordered by God.
“I could sense his leadership (in) many moments of my life,” he said. “You just have to follow when he calls.”
Deacon Rasset said his journey to the priesthood began through the witness of his youth group’s leaders who challenged him to pray at least five minutes a day. Through prayer, Deacon Rasset said, God “revealed himself to me, that he knows me and loves me.”
When he first felt called the priesthood, Deacon Rasset said he felt afraid. The call persisted despite his hesitation, he said.
“At first I was scared, but as I continued to receive the love that the Lord has for me and continued to be influenced also by the witness of my pastor at the time, Father Dave Hennen … the Lord softened my heart and made me excited for (priesthood),” he said.
To hear more about the deacons’ individual discernments and how role models influenced their journeys, tune in to the “Practicing Catholic” episode that debuts at 9 p.m. May 10 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM and repeats at 1 p.m. May 11 and 2 p.m. May 12.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the program also includes a discussion with Barb Ernster, the national coordinator of the World Apostolate of Fatima, about ways to honor Mary on the May 13 feast of Our Lady of Fatima. Also, Jenny Keller, founder of JK ceramics, shares about how her pottery leads her to meditate on God.
Listen to interviews after they have aired at archspm.org/faith-and-discipleship/practicing-catholic or choose a streaming platform at Spotify for Podcasters.
