Donald Calloway, MIC

On Sunday, the seminary was blessed to play host (a second time in the same week) to Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC, of EWTN fame. Fr. Don gave a presentation to a packed chapel on his conversion story, which is rightly acclaimed as miraculous, from a drug-addicted, sex-craved, violent thief with connections to Japanese organized crime to not only a Roman Catholic, but a priest to boot. His story was truly inspiring.

As I was listening, of course, I couldn't help but be reminded of St. Augustine (in fact, he mentioned the parallel himself, at one point) who conversion story was very similar, down to the detail of a newly-devout mother praying unceasingly for God to bring it about. The Church seems to be blessed, every now and then, to see a truly wretched sinner turn into a truly holy disciple.

On a less theological note, Fr. Don was a very mellow, easy-going guy whom I found very easy to get along with. He was only here briefly, and had been rather tired out from traveling, but he left a good impression. That's comforting for me, because Fr. Don works at the house of studies of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception in none other than Steubenville, OH, at Franciscan University, where by dear brother will be going to school in a few short months. Franciscan has a truly Catholic culture, and I'm glad that they have quality young priests like Fr. Don around to help keep it that way. Perhaps I'll have a chance to visit him the next time I'm in Steubenville.