Matt Panozzo - Vocation Story

How I came to know the Salesians – Matt Panozzo

I have been discerning the Priesthood since my 10th grade year, maybe even my 9th grade year. It started off as a simple idea. At the time I had recently started participating more fully in my faith. I went from a bystander to a participant. No longer was I simply going through the motions or watching from afar, now I was active, and present, feeling the motions as I experienced the Mass. Much like a TV chef and the viewer; the viewer can only see what is presented, but the chef, oh the chef experiences it all. The dough as it is kneeded, the smells of the various aromas circulating in the air. The chef is ever present in the moment and looking towards the end.

You can guess that by jumping into the “kitchen” my faith life began to grow. I began to experience God in all different ways, ways I had never known. I began to form this relationship with Him. I was like his sous chef, and He was the head.

Throughout Confirmation, I found that the feeling subsided. In cooking terms, it was placed at a simmer. The flavors of life were to be infused together; it just takes time and low heat.

10th grade year passed, junior year began and with that came the college search. My heart was set on attending a Catholic college or at least a college with a strong Catholic community. I had found this college, Belmont Abbey College, by mere chance. I was planning on attending for a year, and then assessing where God was calling me. I wanted the college experience, and with this I would have growth in my faith life as well as the experience of total independence. My heart was set and I was all ready to apply and attend.

That summer I attended World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia. It was a beautiful experience that brought me to where I am today. While in Sydney, Australia I attended the Vocation Expo which was on an ongoing event throughout the week long pilgrimage. It was there that I picked up a boat load of pamphlets on different religious orders. I was like a kid in a candy store. I loved it! I was rushing up and down the aisles picking up pamphlets left and right. A smile was beaming across my face!

A Month went by, I started Senior year, and I had yet to look at all the pamphlets. I just kind of placed them off to the side, or the back burner, and went on with life. I started the application process for Belmont Abbey and I was set on attending, I knew they wanted me for their constant barrage of emails and letters asking me to apply during my junior year.

Well it was September 23 around 9 or 10 o’clock at night when I had the idea to read through all the pamphlets. One by one I read them all, and I came across the Salesians of Don Bosco pamphlets. My heart just had this leap to it like John the Baptist’s leap in Elizabeth’s womb at the sight of Mary with Jesus. It seemed like a perfect fit. I just had to find the Salesians in America.

I’m sorry but I was not going to travel all the way to Australia, beautiful place yes, but that is too far away from what I am accustomed to. That would have been quite a leap to take right out of the gate. It would have been like trying to make lasagna when all you know how to do is boil water. It’s possible but quite an undertaking.

I walked to my computer, went to google, and found the Salesians of Don Bosco of the St. Philip Province. I saw that there was a “Contact for more information” box so I sent an email around midnight.

Expecting nothing to drastic to happen I went to school the next day, came home, and checked my email. Fr. Franco had emailed me back saying that Mary had brought me to the Salesians. He immediately, with few questions asked, wanted me to attend the November Discernment retreat. I did so and from thence forth I saw myself as a Salesian.

I still had doubts as the year went on as to where God was calling me, but I knew I was Salesian even if I never became a priest. The characteristics of St. John Bosco’s Preventive System were evident in my own teaching style that I had acquired from two years as a student teacher. Fr. Franco lead me through the application process and reaffirmed me as time went on. I trusted in God, and low and behold I am here today. I am at peace with my decision, and I trust God as he leads me where He may.