From Altar Serving to Aspirations

"If it's a true call from God to become a priest, you're not gonna be able to shake it. He's gonna keep coming for you." Fr. David Kidd, Director of Diocesan Priestly Vocations for the Diocese of Toledo, joins Men of the Hearts hosts Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. Drew Mabee to talk about his journey to the priesthood. Looking back, he realizes God started preparing him for the priesthood when he was an altar server in childhood, but his path detoured through college, dating, and a deployment overseas before finally leading him to the doorstep of the Pontifical College Josephinum seminary in Columbus. He shares how five years studying in Rome opened his eyes to the universality and longevity of our faith and offers his advice to men discerning the call to priesthood in their own lives.

(0:27) Hosts Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. Drew Mabee introduce their guest this month, Fr. David Kidd, Director of Diocesan Priestly Vocations for the Diocese of Toledo. Fr. Drew kicks off the episode by sharing that his parish recently finished The Rescue Project with the community’s young adults, spending a few weeks in small groups “unpacking the Lordship of Jesus.” Fr. David then shares some recent blessings in his life. 

(10:52) Fr. Drew shares some recent events at his parish, including Lenten penance services, Alpha gatherings, and Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger’s installation as Archbishop of Detroit. Fr. Craig hosted a discernment weekend attended by men from the Archdiocese of Detroit as well as other nearby dioceses, while also working on an art project he plans to submit to Divine Child High School’s upcoming art show.

(16:45) Fr. Craig asks for Fr. David’s vocation story. Fr. David is the oldest of four children and grew up in Lima, Ohio. He reflects on his experience as an altar server, through which he says God began preparing him for the life of a priest. He first considered the priesthood in senior year of high school, after visiting the Pontifical College Josephinum seminary in Columbus. He became more serious about his discernment in college, shortly before being deployed to Kuwait with the National Guard. 

(27:49) While in Kuwait, Fr. David regularly attended Mass on base, where a chaplain sensed his possible vocation to the priesthood. While home on R&R, Fr. David finally met with the vocations director and submitted an application to seminary just two days before returning overseas. 

(37:56) After Fr. David received his Bachelor’s in Philosophy in Columbus, his bishop invited him to further his studies at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, Italy. He recalls getting a strong sense of the universal Church sharing classes with students from all over the world. He also remembers being in awe visiting churches older than the United States: “People have been living and dying for this faith for a long time.” 

(50:05) While Fr. David never seriously doubted his vocation during his five years in Rome, he did struggle being away from family without regular visits for so long. This challenge helped him develop his relationship with God, trusting in Him and in His plan—leaning on God rather than on his own abilities. He then offers his advice to men discerning the priesthood: take small steps in your discernment, like developing good prayer habits, getting a spiritual director, visiting a seminary, going on retreat, reading spiritual books, and journaling. “All those little steps along the way bring clarity.”

(57:48) Fr. Craig thanks Fr. David for joining, and Fr. David closes the episode with a prayer.