During a silent retreat, ‘He placed His hands on my head’

Father Anthony Saroki grew up in San Diego, earned a law degree from UC Berkeley, and began his career at a large law firm in downtown San Diego. After two years of practicing business law, he opted for the seminary instead and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of San Diego in 2005. He has served in a variety of roles in the diocese since and is currently pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish. Paul Jonna, president of the San Diego Chapter, is a parishioner and invited him to become the Chapter’s chaplain.

Why did you want to become a priest?

I had a “born again” Catholic experience in college. By my senior year, I was going to daily Mass, was praying a daily rosary, was involved in the campus Knights of Columbus council, and was teaching CCD at a nearby parish. I continued to practice my faith fully while in law school. After my first year (1997), I went to World Youth Day in Paris.

Prior to that, I attended a five-day silent Ignatian retreat. During that retreat, we were invited to meditate on Gospel passages using our imagination. The theme for World Youth Day was the “Come and See” passage from the beginning of the Gospel of John. During my meditation, I saw myself with Jesus in a one-room house, sharing a meal of bread and fish. After we ate, I knelt before Him, and He placed His hands on my head. My spiritual director told me this is what happens when a bishop ordains a man to the priesthood. That was the first time I was open to a priestly vocation.

When I returned to law school, I began spiritual direction with a priest of Opus Dei. He recommended that I finish law school and work for a little before entering seminary. During the next four years, I went back and forth in my mind about a priestly vocation. Just when I thought it wasn’t for me, I had a very powerful experience in prayer on May 12, 2001, followed by an extended period of peace and joy. During this experience, it became very clear that God was calling me to apply to the seminary for priestly formation.

What is your impression of Legatus?

The members are wonderful. They are accomplished people and, more importantly, authentic disciples of the Lord. Also, I have really enjoyed the speakers at the monthly meetings.

What have you found most rewarding and most challenging about the priesthood?

The priesthood is immensely rewarding. Celebrating the Mass and hearing Confessions is especially grace-filled and edifying. I’ve been at my current parish assignment for over nine years. We have a loving, faithful, vibrant community. Just yesterday, a mother of six shared her testimony about coming to the parish for the first time five years ago and how the parish has profoundly impacted each member of her family. She described it as an oasis in the midst of a turbulent and confused world. I’m happy to be part of that.

The most challenging thing is the state of the Church. I believe the Church is experiencing a profound identity crisis and has become too aligned with secular worldviews. I also believe there is a superficial unity that masks deep division in theological perspective. I have experienced this situation as a continuing, underlying tension.

Anything else you’d like to share?

Once or twice a week, very early in the morning, I go surfing at one of the local beaches. This is a special time of communion with the Lord, and I enjoy it very much.