"There were many times where I doubted the call, but ultimately, the Lord gets us to where he wants us to be."
BR. PIER GIORGIO HONNER, OP
TAKE A MOMENT TO
MEET BR. PIER GIORGIO!
If you could be taught by any deceased Dominican, who would you pick? What question(s) would you ask him or her? (Friar, Sister, Lay Fraternity, etc.)
I would be taught by Fr. Marie-Joseph Lagrange, our brother who founded the Ecole Biblique in Jerusalem. I would ask him how he developed his method of historical criticism, but I would also ask how he endured the trials he had during the founding and directing the Biblical School.
What's the most interesting or pointless fact you know?
I have been ran over by a bicycle (that is both interesting and pointless).
What did you want to be growing up and why?
I wanted to be a meteorologist when I was little. I watched The Weather Channel for hours just tracking storms in a book of maps I had. To this day, I still love to track storms especially if it is near me. At one point in my life, I was a trained weather spotter for the National Weather Service (for 2 months).
TIPS FROM BR. PIER GIORGIO:
How old were you when you realized you wanted to pursue Religious Life? What was that process like for you?
I was about 18 years old when I first realized that I wanted to pursue religious life. It just became clear that I was being drawn to religious life, so I had to give it a chance. It took a lot of patience, prayer, and choices to get to the point that I felt called to be in religious life. There were many times where I doubted the call, but ultimately, the Lord gets us to where he wants us to be.
What's a tip you have for young men discerning priesthood/religious life?
Do not join the Order of Perpetual Discerners. Discernment involves taking steps in one direction, saying yes to one thing and not holding onto Plan B. You must trust that the Lord will guide you, and if you are not meant for the priesthood or religious life, then the Lord will lead you to your vocation.
Any words of encouragement?
Do not be afraid to take a risk in your discernment. What I mean by that is if you feel a call or desire to be a priest/religious, then go for a visit or reach out to a vocations director. You will not waste your time in discernment or formation. You will always leave a better man if you let the Lord work.