Father Walker is second from the left…at Winchester.
This was written when Father Kenneth Walker was 18 and still in College. His assignment was to write a piece on a marriage proposal. Here were the words on the paper:
The Call to the Priesthood
The marriage proposal may be a beautiful event, and the most wonderful emotions are aroused, but it is just possible that the call to the priesthood is equally as beautiful.
It may be that a man discerns the priesthood over a considerable amount of time, or the decision may come upon him, by God’s grace, all of a sudden.
A good example of a momentary decision would be a young man praying during Mass, asking God what His plans are for his life. The answer comes at the elevation of the Sacred Host as he gazes intently upon Our Lord in the form of bread.
He hears a voice calling to him from the depths of his soul. It is not a material voice, but simply a feeling deep down in his very being.
As he listens, he begins to notice that this is beyond any ordinary occurrence in prayer. He realizes that God is asking him to become a priest.
His focus is immediately put on the responsibilities, benefits, joys, and sorrows of the priesthood. It is evident to him that the answer he gives may be a major turning point in his life.
Change is difficult, but then it occurs to him that he only wishes to please God above all things in this life.
Then, his heart brimming with joy, and eyes filled with tears, he tells God “yes”.
“Mothers, as far as possible, be at home with your children. As you nourished your child before he was capable of eating solid food, so in the early formative years, nature has determined that you must nourish your child in virtue.” -Fr. Lawrence G. Lovasik. The Catholic Family Handbook http://amzn.to/2lCqRG5
For many good reading suggestions, visit….
This is a beautiful read! His words come from God! I love the priests in my life so very much. They are holy, humble, generous and compassionate men, who never cease in their labor of bringing souls closer to God. I am not sure where I would be without their prayers, their wisdom, and their Christ-like example… It gives me a lot of joy to be close to them, much like Archbishop Sheen described, because it is like being close to Jesus! What a precious gift priests are to the world! Thank you very much for this post! (and all of your posts!)
I just googled the priest and am in tears. What a pure hearted individual, with such a beautiful, strong faith. Such a huge loss to our world. Eternal rest grant upon Him, O Lord…
He loved this vocation, no doubt at all, I pray he rests in peace. Prayers for the family, they lost a very good young man. :'(
Today we are having a high Requiem here in Phoenix at Mater Misericordiae. My three sons are serving it tonight.
We have also just had the joy of hosting two newly ordained priests from our parish this year (Fr. Garcia and Fr. Wallace) just ordained last month…..my boys were able to go to the ordinations this year, too.
We have Fr. Walker’s picture hanging up in the vestibule in the chapel, plus a picture of him up on our wall right now…..not a day goes by we don’t think about him and how blessed we were to have him for even a short time.
I knew him, though not very well. I met him at the seminary in 2011. He was so kind and gentle.
My sister went to the same college as him, but started in the fall (he had left in the spring). I then attended that same school and graduated.
Both my sister and I know many people who knew Fr. Walker. It was such a shock to wake up to that horrible news a few years ago. I’m actually still in disbelief every time I think about how he’s no longer on this earth. Such a young priest.
My aunt knew Father Walker, and has a page dedicated to him on facebook. We are hoping he will be entered into the Sainthood. I have a pretty good feeling he will be.