Craig Szmidt

Year Four

St. Mary’s College, Oscott

 

My name is Craig Szmidt, I am 23 years old and I come from Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire.  My family are very supportive and are practicing Catholics, so for as long as I can remember, going to Mass each week has always been an important part of my life. 

It was when I received my First Holy Communion, at the age of six that I felt first felt called to be a priest.  I found the Mass fascinating, and became more and more interested in the amazing event which took place on the altar each time I went to Mass.  It was also during this time that we had a great Parish Priest.  I really looked up to him and admired him for the way in which he could help people. I kept telling people: “I want to be like Father!” 

So, I became an Altar Server and began serving regularly at Mass.  I pushed the thought of being a priest to the back of my mind and ignored it - it wasn’t ‘cool’ to be a priest … you couldn’t get married to start with!

I managed ignore this subtle drawing towards priesthood successfully for the years that followed … well … that was until I reached the final year of my A-Levels.  It was around this time that I was once again confronted with the sense of being called to be a priest.  I didn’t tell anyone, I just kept it between myself and God.  I was confused by many questions: What would I do? Should I apply to university?  Which university should I apply to? What should I study?

Suddenly, I began to think about training as a teacher - I liked working with children and I enjoyed helping people. 

So, when anyone asked me, I told them that I was going to go into teaching and I then began applying to a wide variety of universities. 

My faith has always been important for me and was constantly growing.  I was still, as I was at the back at the age of 6, intrigued and drawn towards the Mass, and my love for the Eucharist was deepening.

It was during my first year at university that my sense of calling returned.  This time much stronger than ever before.  I had many sleepless nights and felt unfulfilled in what I was doing.

For many years people had been saying to me “Craig, have you thought about being a priest?” and “Craig, you’d make a wonderful priest you know” - perhaps I was being called to be a priest?!?

It is very difficult to describe this sense of calling, but I was recently told a useful analogy to explain it, that of a toothache.  It comes and we ignore it, but the pain keeps returning, getting stronger and stronger each time - until finally you have to give in and go and see the dentist.

So, I approached my Parish Priest and told him everything that I was feeling.  This was an incredibly emotional conversation, but also one of great relief to actually tell someone who understands.  I then got in touch with our Diocesan Vocations director who guided me through a period of further discernment.

After completing my degree in May 2004, I was accepted to begin the first stage of my priestly formation in Valladolid, Spain in the September of that year.  Following Spain, I started at St. Mary’s Seminary in Birmingham.  I have now almost finished my second year there and look forward with excitement to the next 4 years of my formation!

Craig