I had always believed that I was supposed to be a priest. My grandmother, who was always devoted to Saint Padre Pio, believed firmly I was supposed to be a priest. She always prayed to St John Bosco for me. I attribute the fact that, by the grace of God, I still hold the Catholic faith, to the best of my limited understanding and abilities, to his intercession and her prayers.
I happened by chance to attend Mass on Christmas Day at an sspx Chapel back in 2001. I was employed as a full-time organist (in high school) at this time, for a Diocesan Church and in between masses on Christmas Day, I was out looking for a place to have breakfast, and since all restaurants were closed I decided to check out the chapel, as mass was going on at that time. I met the pastor, who was a friend of the Society, ordained by a retired Philipino bishop, and became attached to the Society. It was arranged, graciously, by the superior at the time, Father Peter Scott, to go and live at a Priory (Ridgefield) and get used to the lifestyle. I entered St Thomas Aquinas seminary in Winona in 2002, spent two years, but was unable morally and spiritually to pursue the priesthood due to my own spiritual difficulties. I left the Seminary with no intention of getting married but to pursue a career as a concert pianist. This never materialized because of various circuмstances. However, Bishop Williamson, whom I consider a great source of my formation, often referred to such things as a "temporary vocation." Even though the two years I spent in seminary for extremely difficult and I know that I did not do my best, I regard it now, in hindsight, as the happiest 2 years of my life, which prepared me for the crosses and difficulties in married and family life. Without those two years in seminary, without Bishop Williamson and the excellent priests who have mentored me and administered the sacraments to me over the years, I do not suspect that I would have persevered.