Lenny Carlino -- Vocation Story

Vocation Story-Lenny Carlino

My vocation story begins when I was around six years old. Around that time I still believed in “cooties”, and when my uncle would ask if I had a girlfriend yet, I would always tell him, “I’m not gonna have a girlfriend. I’m gonna be a priest”

I would first start to be serious about my vocation around 8th grade, when I began my year of religion class leading up to Confirmation. One of the requirements was to go to weekly mass. Before this though, my family did not go to mass too often, mostly just on the “big days” (Christmas, Easter, holy week, etc.), so it was strange to have to do that for me.

It was during this time that I started to learn about what Our Lord did for us, and about the true Joy that Jesus the Lord brings us, and how much he loves us. Hearing the Gospels, and just looking at that crucifix every week made me start to want to learn more about my faith, and I didn’t want to stop learning.
Enter St. Thomas More Youth Group!! After confirmation there were no more religion classes, but I did not want to stop learning at such a strong time in my faith. The youth group came and visited at one of our “community nights”, and I was automatically hooked. These people showed so much enthusiasm and were so happy, and I wanted to see what that was all about. This is where I would first learn about the Salesian spirituality and mission. I would end up staying in youth group for all four years of high school, and still plan to be involved as much as possible.

It is because of youth group that I was able to go to JLR (The January Leadership Retreat run by the Salesians). I first went in 2008, my junior year, and the experience was absolutely eye-opening. It was here I saw the love of our Lord and the Lord’s intercession in the lives of those on the young team who were such strong witnesses to Him. Everyone was family because we were united in the mission of Don Bosco and under Jesus Christ. It was also on this retreat I would meet the Salesian seminarians for the first time, those who are now pre-novices, and receive an invitation to think about if I had a vocation.

After this I began to look at my life, and where God was calling me. At this point after some careful deliberation, I did not feel any sort of call to religious life, and I shook off the possibility.
The following year though, would slowly start to bring back the discernment. I got to minister to the participants in STM youth group, and I felt so honored and blessed being able to do that. I got to give a talk at our lock-in, and started growing even more in my spirituality. I would also become a bigger part of the various ministries at the church itself, from lecturing to altar serving.

Then JLR 2009 came around, and I was blessed enough to be a part of the young team. Here I met some of the greatest people I have met in my life, without question, on the young team and the participants of the retreat. As before, we were all family because of our common mission and roots, and here I could feel the family even more. The time in small groups and being able to give a talk too; I felt so in union with God. Again the Salesian formation guys were present, those who are now 2nd year candidates. We also had a small lecture on vocations at one point, and I just felt like I had to at least find out more. Afterwards, Fr. Steve Ryan would come up to me, pull me over to the side, and say straight to me, “you would be a greats Salesian.”

On this retreat I would also have my strongest religious experience of my life, so far. During adoration, for the first time in my life, the Lord gave me the gift of tears, and for about 45 minutes straight I felt a tingle come across my body, and I was left paralyzed in a position with my arms open in prayer, and staring at the most holy sacrament, with tears running down my face non-stop. Afterwards I felt that no matter what my vocation, I had to spread the good Word however I could and that would be my mission in life: to be a witness to God.

My life was changed, and suddenly the idea of being a consecrated Salesian didn’t seem too far off of an idea. I would get in dialogue with Fr. Franco, and I would end up going on a discernment weekend in February. At one point I knew that I had to be here in formation, and, as funny as it sounds, that was when I was helping out in the game room. I ended up playing ping pong with a little boy and girl, and I saw the smiles on their faces, and I couldn’t not be filled with joy at that moment. I would end up filling out the paperwork, and was told of my admittance into the house around June or so.

I have absolutely no regrets. As I write this story it the 8 week anniversary of my moving into the house, and I have already learnt so much in such a short time, about our faith and about myself. The community at the house is absolutely priceless, and we are all brothers. This is a great place for personal formation (spiritual, intellectual, pastoral, and human), and to anyone that is even thinking about a possible vocation you might have, I say go for it!!! Talk with Fr. Franco and Fr. Steve, and they will help and guide you through the process. You have absolutely nothing to lose!!!