How Did I Experience My Call to the Religious Life?

In the Gospel of St. John, Jesus says: “…you did not choose me, I chose you” (Jn. 15:16). I wish to have this scripture passage serve as the theme for my remarks.

The events that led to my response to God’s call could be compared to “pieces of the puzzle.” The initial piece was environmental. As a boy in a three generation family, caring for sick grandparents by my parents and siblings created an awareness of how to care for my grandparents with love and compassion right up to the time of their deaths. Regular visits by the local parish priests met their spiritual needs.

The Catholic faith instilled in me in my earliest days at home was continued through educational years at St. Sebastian Grade School, Marquette University High School, and Marquette University.

Despite the spiritual component offered on a consistent basis, I didn’t fully practice the faith during these years and throughout the 1960’s. I did fall prey to the worldly attractions of the times. It led to a painful period that culminated in a return to a full practice of the faith. Prayer and the sacraments became central to my life as I prayed to discern where I fit in God’s plan. I experienced various occupations over the years – teaching, real estate and business – all had their challenges but were not fulfilling.

As I became more active in the life of the Church, a key component in the search for meaning in my life was the friendship and spiritual guidance of the parish pastor. It was here that religious life became a possibility.

God works in mysterious ways in the lives of people. I believe that God utilized other people as His instruments to inform me that fulfillment would be possible in life as a religious. These were parish friends and people of faith. They posed questions such this: “Mario, have you ever thought of becoming a priest or religious?” I seriously had to consider an answer to that question.

Primarily, however, it was prayer to God and consultation with my director that led to a real confirmation as to where God’s call was leading me. Eventually, it was my director who asked: “Have you ever thought of caring for the sick?” His father was a resident at St. Camillus and eventually passed away there. His care was exemplary according to the director.

Thoughts of the years of caring for my grandparents and later for my parents with my siblings were recalled. Those experiences had informed me of the values of compassion and love that led to an inquiry into the Order of St. Camillus and eventual acceptance in December, 1992. My family was very supportive. Their consistent support meant a great deal to me.

Questions remained, however, as to my ability to function in a religious community given the fact it was a late vocation. An open acceptance of God’s plan and the guidance of special formators in the Order led to the profession of perpetual vows as a consecrated religious brother on May 13, 2000, seven years after acceptance into the Order.

How have I sustained my life as a religious since then? Ongoing. Formation. It consisted of a deepening of life in Christ in all its dimensions, a growth in relationships with members of the Camillian Community, our congregations of sisters, my spiritual mentor, Fr. Jeff Loebl, S.J., and a vowed commitment to “the complete service of the sick in the totality of their being” (Article 43; Camillian Constitution).

On Sunday, May 11, the World Day of Prayer for Vocations was commemorated. It’s important that the Order continue to commit its energies to increasing vocations by providing “more laborers for the harvest” expressed in Luke 10:02. We pray that the Lord of the Harvest will inspire those open to His call to serve the sick poor with generous and selfless love in imitation of the ministry of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and that of our founder and patron, St. Camillus De Lellis.

I wish to express my sincere gratitude to God and all who have journeyed with me to make this possible.

Submitted by: Brother Mario Crivello, M.I.