Meet the Seminarians: Stephen Jones

This is part of a series to introduce the seminarians of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City.
 
What is your home parish?
My home parish is St. Monica in Edmond.


What seminary do you attend?
I attend the Pontifical North American College in Rome.


If it is God’s will, what year will you be ordained a priest?
If it is God’s will, I will be ordained a priest in 2024.


What advice would you give to someone discerning a call to the priesthood?
Make it a priority to spend time in front of the Blessed Sacrament in prayer, daily if possible. The Eucharist is the Real Presence of Jesus Christ himself, and he wants to spend time with you! Also, find a spiritual director who can walk with you and help you hear and respond to the Lord's call for you in your discernment.


What do you look forward to most about becoming a priest?
I most look forward to celebrating Mass and hearing confessions. I look forward to celebrating Mass because it is making the Lord truly present in the Eucharist every day. I look forward to hearing confessions because that is how God wishes to bring healing, mercy and forgiveness to his people.


Name one thing that every Catholic needs to know.
Every Catholic needs to know that God is truly present among us in the Eucharist, and he deeply desires our salvation. He loves each of us in an incredibly personal and unique way, and he wants us to spend eternity with him in heaven. Our life here on earth is preparation for that!


Why choose a life of sacrificial love?
Everyone is called to live a life of sacrificial love, whether that be as a married husband or wife, a religious brother or sister, as a lay consecrated single person, or as a priest of Jesus Christ. If I am truly called to the priesthood, I choose it because that is where Jesus has called me, and it is where I will be most fully satisfied and fulfilled. I desire to give myself to the people of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City to serve and love them in order to witness the love that God has for all of us.
 
To learn more about seminary, contact Rev. Brian Buettner at [email protected] or (405) 721-9351. okcvocations.com.