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CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte is blessed with 45 men currently enrolled in study and formation for the priesthood: 24 men at St. Joseph College Seminary in Mount Holly, 20 enrolled at major seminaries, and one taking a pastoral year.
Christopher Angermeyer, a parishioner of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte, is among those studying at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Cincinnati.

To help the faithful of the diocese come to know him and how his call to discern the priesthood has unfolded, the Catholic News Herald recently asked Angermeyer about his discernment process:

CNH: When did you first hear the call to a vocation to the priesthood?

Angermeyer: I truly began discerning the priesthood in high school. I was in Eucharistic Adoration and felt that I should discern the will of Our Lord. I began to think about what Our Lord desired. I began to discern a possible vocation to the priesthood.

CNH: Who did you first talk to about your vocation?

Angermeyer: I talked with Monsignor Patrick Winslow, who was at that time the pastor at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, about a possible vocation to the priesthood and asked for guidance on how to discern.

CNH: What type of feedback or advice did you get from him?

Angermeyer: He told me the importance of prayer and how prayer will guide me toward knowing God’s will.

CNH: How did you go about discerning where you felt called to explore your possible vocation?

Angermeyer: I talked to the priests in my parish and watched what they would do during Mass. Most importantly, I prayed in front of Our Blessed Lord and asked Him that I follow His will.

CNH: How and when did you reach out to the Vocations Office at the diocese?

Angermeyer: I reached out to Father Christopher Gober asking for an application in early 2017.

CNH: When did you enter seminary for the Diocese of Charlotte?

Angermeyer: I was accepted to the seminary in 2017.

CNH: Tell us about the types of things you have been doing as part of your discernment process.

Angermeyer: The most significant thing I have been doing is praying to Our Lord and asking Him to lead me where He desires. My daily Holy Hour is important for me to grow in love with Our Lord. I also have grown in loving Our Lady because she is vital to a vocation to the priesthood.

CNH: What advice do you have for a man discerning a call to the priesthood?

Angermeyer: Pray to Our Lady for guidance on entering the seminary. Our Lady will not direct you in the wrong. Pray to her daily.

CNH: Looking back on your discernment journey to this point, what do you think has helped you the most to discern God’s will for your vocation to the priesthood?

Angermeyer: The time spent in front of Our Lord. Getting the time to know Our Lord is critical to the life of a seminarian because, God willing, I will be giving the Blessed Sacrament to parishioners (someday). I will be representing the Light of Christ. I want to do that very well. The only way to do it well is praying in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

Your DSA contributions at work

Seminarian education is funded in part by the annual Diocesan Support Appeal. Learn more about the DSA and how to donate online at www.charlottediocese.org/dsa.