In second grade, right around the time he was about to receive First Holy Communion, Father Patrick Riffle thought that one day he might like to become a priest. 

But the idea went in and out of his 8-year-old mind. Father Riffle, who serves at St. Peter’s Parish in Olney, didn’t think about it again until fifth grade. 

“I remember the tug at my heart,” he said. At the time, Father Riffle was an altar server and he admired his caring and friendly pastor, Msgr. Paul Gozaloff. 

He remembered how his pastor cared for his family, and especially his sister, who was born prematurely and had health problems. 

“He almost became like a grandfather to me,” Father Riffle said. 

But once again, the idea of becoming a priest left his mind, and he didn’t think about it until he was a sophomore in high school. 

The idea of becoming a priest “really came back, and it came back really strong.” As a senior in high school he worked up the courage to ask for an application to the seminary, where he would study to become a priest. 

“I vividly remember how difficult it was to make that first big step on my own, and also how I was blessed with immediate peace afterward,” he said. 

After graduating from La Plata High School in Southern Maryland, Father Riffle began college seminary in Pennsylvania. He completed his studies at a special seminary in Rome.

Father Riffle was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Washington about a year and a half ago when he was 26. He said he enjoys the priesthood because he is constantly “bringing Jesus” to people. Whether he is celebrating the Eucharist, anointing the sick in the hospital, presiding at a Baptism or visiting a family, he is always bringing Jesus with him, he said. 

He encourages youth to try and “become friends with Jesus” and talk with Him. 

Just as students become friends with their classmates – talking with them and getting to know them – they should also develop a relationship with Jesus, he said. 

“Talk with Jesus before bed or when you first wake up in the morning,” he said. “Just speak with Jesus as a friend.” 

Having a relationship with the Lord will also help children when they grow up and have to make decisions about what they want to do with their lives, Father Riffle said. The decision to become a priest, a religious sister or brother, or a married person will become more clear if a child has a a strong relationship with Jesus, and then they build on it as they get older, the priest said. This creates a “sense of openness” and “vocations come from being open,” he said. 

Check out the rest of his story at the Catholic Standard link.