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Robert Devaney Year 4 Pontifical Beda College, Rome   Born in Birmingham, of a Catholic family, I was educated in Surrey, and began my career in teaching in 1973. What I thought was a religious calling took me to Dublin for two years (1975/7), where I studied philosophy with a religious congregation of priests. These were the ‘Sons of Divine Providence’ who had a varied apostolate towards the handicapped, the aged and homeless and vulnerable youth. Although I found these years valuable I knew I would have difficulty being part of a religious community. So, in 1977 I applied to the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton, and was accepted for training at St. John’s seminary, Wonersh. I spent about eighteen months at seminary and enjoyed much of the life; it still holds fond memories. However, even though no religious vows were required from me I didn’t feel ready to commit myself to such a vocation. In December 1978 I decided that the priesthood was not for me at that time. I left Wonersh with no idea of what career path to take, and subsequently worked for a short while in engineering and sheet metalwork. Eventually, I felt I needed to plan for a more secure occupation, so returned to teaching in 1980, convinced that any religious call would die away. I never enjoyed working in education and found myself in a rut. Spiritually, I could find little peace, and began regular retreats at Easter during the 1990’s. Before long, I found myself pondering the possibility of applying for the priesthood once more, but harboured many doubts. However, following the death of my father, in late 2001, I began preliminary enquiries with the archdiocese of Birmingham. Convinced (and secretly hoping) that I would not be accepted, I progressed through each stage of the application process. How wrong I was. A quarter of a century later, and after a considerable spiritual struggle, I surrendered to the Lord in 2004, and agreed to discern my vocation further at the Beda college in Rome. This was a ‘culture shock’ since I hadn’t left Britain for 21 years. As I approach the end of my third year and diaconate ordination, I am a touch more certain that this may be the providential ‘road’ I am to take, but I presume nothing in my ongoing discernment, and trust in God. Early retirement may have to wait. Bob Return to student page Students.htmlshapeimage_1_link_0
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