There is a circle of grass high above the Avenues [in Salt Lake City] that overlooks the entire Salt Lake Valley.  The view is stunning and one can feel the sacredness of the ground. I have visited and prayed in this place throughout my life. This is where the priests of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, who came in and out to find pasture after entering through Jesus Christ, are buried. Many of their names are familiar to me. A few of these men encouraged me in my vocation to the priesthood long ago, and their words echo in my ear as I complete the first year of my journey toward the priesthood at Mount Angel Seminary. These men were shaped, in the words of Pope Leo XIV, “in the image of the Good Shepherd.” In the seminary, I am being formed in this image as well. Although my long journey has just begun, I find comfort and encouragement in the Lord as I grow closer to him every day.  At the age of 7, I was called to be a priest. After many years of prayer and discernment, I am here now, having always been led by the Good Shepherd.
            My vocationLandon Quintana to the priesthood began when I was a boy. There are many young people who may have a vocation in our diocese. It is important to encourage young people to pray. Prayer is the foundation of a close friendship with the Lord. The closer one is to God, the more clearly one sees. Forming good prayer habits early will instill a lifelong love of speaking with the Lord. Without prayer, I would never have known the time was right to answer God’s call in a substantial way by having a conversation with my priest who then led me to the Office of Vocations a few years ago. Prayer is crucial to understanding what God has called us to.   
It is an honor and a privilege to be a seminarian for our Diocese of Salt Lake City. It has been a lifelong vocation for me, and I am particularly encouraged and prayed for by our priests who shepherd us now. I appreciate our priests exponentially as I learn what it means to be a priest in the modern world. God bless them. 
I humbly ask you to pray for our priests, seminarians, and those who will say “yes” to God’s call.