As the International Schoenstatt Family, we dedicate the first Thursday of each month as a Day of Prayer for Vocations. This February, we will hear the vocational testimony of Fr. Léonce Ntakirutimana, who is part of the Secular Institute of the Schoenstatt Fathers and is currently master of novices in Burundi. Fr. Léonce accompanies young seminarians during this period of formation and shares his story of discovering his vocation.

The roots of my vocation

From my earliest childhood, I grew up in a Christian family where my parents’ faith held a central place. Born into a family of seven children, I am the fourth and first son. Both my parents are still alive. I am originally from the parish of Muramvya, in the archdiocese of Bujumbura, Burundi.

Prayer in the family and in the Church, spiritual accompaniment, self-awareness, and personal meetings with God in the joys and trials of my life, as well as in the sacraments, are all elements that permitted me to grow in the love of God and of neighbour. I feel a profound desire to share this love with others.

Confronted with a dilemma of choice

At the end of my secondary studies, while I felt fulfilled in my life as a young Christian, a struggle of choice arose: to go to university or to enter the seminary to become a priest? Such were the questions that haunted me and that I did not immediately find a clear response to.

I left high school without knowing what the orientation of my life should be. Nevertheless, I never stopped praying to God to show me the way.

I remember that one day, at the end of my studies, the rector called us in one by one to ask if we were interested in continuing our studies at the Seminary. Until then, I had been studying at a diocesan high school. My response was already formulated: “I had to go to university, and if God wanted me to become a priest, that was where He would find me.” But instead, I said that I had written a letter to the Vocational Director, requesting my admission to the Schoenstatt Fathers! Frankly, despite this letter, I still felt strong resistance; I was still overwhelmed by the choices.

The joy of the discovery of my vocation

In August 2007, God chose to reveal the designs of his love to me gently. How did it really happen?

After leaving high school, I moved in with my father, who was building a house in town. During the day, I worked to save a little money, since the desire to attend the university seemed to outweigh the desire to attend the seminary. Every night, I slept with my father on the construction site. My father listened to Radio Maria (a Catholic radio station) all night, and it did not disturb me.

But one day, everything changed! I woke up in the middle of the night to the sound of gentle voices singing the Magnificat. Suddenly, an immense joy overcame my heart, and I decided to go see the Vocations Director, to say “Hello”.

The next day, I left, covering a distance of nine kilometres on foot. Before entering the Schoenstatt Fathers’ House, I meditated in the Shrine to greet my beloved Mother, the Virgin Mary. Immediately after, while I was heading towards the parlour, I saw the Vocations Director, who welcomed me with a kind smile. He greeted me warmly and gave me my admission letter, explaining that he did not know how to send it to me; therefore, my presence there was providential. From that moment, the inner conflict eased, and the joy I had felt the day before returned. It was the discovery of my vocation! Through Mary, God came to confirm my call to Sion, to the community of the Schoenstatt Fathers.

Two months later, I entered the Seminary and, after 11 years of formation, I became a priest. Even today, I continue to feel the merciful presence of God and of our Mother in my life, in moments of consolation as in moments of despair.

In short, to speak of vocation is to want to express that, in the choice that someone makes about their life, in what they decide to do with it, something exceeds them, exceeds their own person, their immediate tastes, and their individual quests. Vocation is a call that comes from elsewhere. It is a call that gives life, helps one grow, and opens one to joy.

What are the signs that one has found one’s vocation?

A deep inner peace and joy that God offers us through sincere and perseverant prayer are undeniable signs of it. Love is another, which leads one to commit oneself to the mission of Christ: to serve others, particularly the poorest.

To the young people in formation or those eager to discern the will of God, Fr. Kentenich suggests some practices: a life of regular daily prayer, the reception of the sacraments, the accomplishment of their daily duties, and the culture of the covenant of love with Mary.

Nothing without You!

Fr. Léonce NTAKIRUTIMANA
Community of the Schoenstatt Fathers
Mount Zion Gikungu-Bujumbura/Burundi