Young New Yorker leaves police force to become priest
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Nicolas Fernandez

, Nov 6, 2008 / 01:34 pm (CNA).- At the age of 25, Nicolas Fernandez had all of the qualities needed to be a great policeman and his future in the force looked promising.  However, during his daily work he discovered he needed different weapons to help the “troubled souls” he encountered, so he decided to become a priest.

Born on Staten Island of an Irish mother and a Spanish father, Fernandez has begun his six year-long formation at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers.  He had been serving as a police officer for two years when, inspired by the teachings of John Paul II and the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to New York, he decided to change careers and become a priest.

According to El Nuevo Diario, the young seminarian recalls that when he was a policeman, people went to him with their problems because of the uniform he wore. “Now, they will do so because I’ll be wearing a priest’s cassock,” he said.

Fernandez was a patrolman in Brooklyn and his partner always said he could easily rise to the rank of lieutenant.  “But that was the last thing I wanted,” he said.

“My choice for the priesthood was influenced by the discourses and speeches of John Paul II on the culture of death, which includes thousands of murders, suicides, homicides and national situations in which children are being abandoned or are victims of abuse in their homes because of drugs,” Fernandez said.

“For these turbulent souls, I never had an external solution as a policeman. There has to be an interior change, a change of heart and therefore, being a priest is necessary,” he added.

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Subscriber comments:
Published by: P
New Mexico, USA 11/18/2008 11:58 PM EST
Senor, Fernandez. Vaya con Dios. Amen. My son is a junior in high school and since his birth he has been someone special. I thought that as his mother. But, most in his life seemed to notice it as well. He has been singled out all his life by priests and those that know him. He recently attended a confirmation retreat in Tucson through Steubenville and when asked he was one of the ones that walked up when asked if he considered the call by our Father to be a priest. Our parish priest attended and recently sent him a brochure for a discernment weekend in February, 2009. He said he wanted to go. I am but a weak vessel who held this life in me for nine months and I have failed him many times and by God's grace, and, believe me, not my own, have helped him in his 17 years outside the womb. My heart is joyful that this may come to pass and I am heartbroken that it may come to pass. Please pray for Noah. Please pray for his family. God bless you. (As I wrote this this minute, he was asleep and then he emerged from his room...?) Please pray for his brother as well. He is the essence of innocence.
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Published by: Lavinia Tai
Kuala Lumpur 11/18/2008 05:43 PM EST
Catholic priests are heroes because they give up everything to follow Christ. Dear Nicolas Fernandez, I will always remember you in my prayers. Priesthood is a great vocation and is only bestowed on God's chosen ones. You are HIS chosen one.
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Published by: Alina
NJ 11/16/2008 06:00 PM EST
Dear Nicolas Fernandez

Your Story is a beutiful story. We should have more young men like you out there. Our Lord,and all us are extremely proud of you. May He guide you and protect you always.
Alina
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Published by: Methodiusmonk
Manila, Philippines 11/11/2008 12:57 PM EST
Enjoy your seminary formation, Nicolas, and remind yourself every now and then that your "desert experiences" are like the temptations Jesus had, before beginning his public ministry. Pax Christi tecum!
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Published by: Jo Anne
Boise, ID USA 11/11/2008 12:45 PM EST
Dear Nick,
You are shining example of a true child of God. May His blessings carry you on your journey. My prayers are with you as well.
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Published by: Father Tom
Delray Beach, FL 11/10/2008 03:56 PM EST
Wonderful news! Nick, May God bless your own answer to his call. Are there others in the force that you know who may be thinking in a similar way? If so, invite them to take the leap of faith.
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Published by: Maggie45
Arizona 11/09/2008 02:43 PM EST
God bless you, Nicolas. Thank you.
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Published by: gilad
los angeles, CA 11/08/2008 01:52 PM EST
Your in my Prayers daily Nicolas!
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Published by: Salvador Pico
Philippines 11/07/2008 10:34 PM EST
Dear Nick,
It is heartwarming to know that policemen are concerned about the real problems and the root causes rather than use the threat of force to solve all problems.
I will pray for perseverance in your new vocation.
Fr. Sal
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Published by: Teresita D.Villegas
Rancho Cordova, CA. US 11/07/2008 06:33 PM EST
Dear Nicholas,
Your vocation is a gift from God.
You were called and you answered His call.

Be not afraid, go and bear much fruit, for the harvest is plenty.Those words were repeated by our beloved Pope John Paul II to those who response to God's invitation to be His tool.
God bless you and praying for you.
Please do pray for us on your ordination.
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Published by: Mary
Eagan, MN. U.S.A. 11/07/2008 06:11 PM EST
Dear, Dear Nicholas,
I am so very grateful for your sacrifice to the Most Holy Catholic Priesthood. In our desperately troubled world today, we could do nothing without our priests. God reward you for your generous heart and soul for all eternity, and may He protect you in your life's journey of Love and sacrifice for Him and Our Lady.
In Jesus' Tender Heart and The Most Beautiful and Sorrowful Heart of His Mother, we thank you Nicholas,
Mary
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Published by: Josephine Ogden
Burgettstown,Pa. U.S.A. 11/07/2008 05:52 PM EST
I Thank God for you, and I thank God that you chose such a wonderful seminary for your formation...not all are so great, and it as right at your door. Blessed are you and all the Church. Thank you for your blessed choice. Josephine Ogden
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Published by: Paula
NY 11/07/2008 03:46 PM EST
So happy for this vocation to the Priesthood. May Our Lord bless him with much fruit in his life as a Priest.
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Published by: John v an Heeswyk
Strathroy Ontario Canada 11/07/2008 03:38 PM EST
Dear Nicolas...

How wonderfull, to have the vocation to become a Roman Catholic Priest...It moves me, to think you left one carreer to fill an other...God ..will bless you abundantly. And blessings to your parents,,,,for your wonderfull up bringing, and their example..
God Bless you.
John,,,
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Published by: Gilene Lorenzo
Tucson, Az 11/07/2008 02:50 PM EST
God Bless, future Fr. Nicolas Fernandez.
Especially in these time (God's time) it is necessary to have more people like you for taking many souls, esp. young in re-directing them back to "Our Father" as He is awaiting for all of His creation to come to return to it's origianl plan and our real home which is Heaven...there, all is good, no more pain, sufferings and everyone will be in joy and at peace!
God bless you, Fr. Nick and Godspeed! You are in the right path--with God all the way to heaven, and will pray for you always. Have no fear! You are in the right time and place.
Just a lowly servant of God,
Gilene Lorenzo
(gilenene@yahoo.com)
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Published by: Nguyet
Kent, WA 11/07/2008 10:45 AM EST
May the good Lord Jesus be with you and his angels protect you as you are called to priesthood. You are in my prayers! God bless and thank you for answering His call. You will be protected and blessed in Jesus Name and His precious blood to cover you and your daily life-Amen!!!
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Published by: J.P.Bautista
Rome,Italy 11/07/2008 08:16 AM EST
Congratulations on his big decision to follow Christ.
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Published by: H.J. D'Cruz
Karachi Pakistan 11/07/2008 02:49 AM EST
Hope some more of such young men follow him for a noble priest profession. The church badly needs vocations specially in the west.
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Published by: hy
canada 11/07/2008 02:03 AM EST
good
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Published by: Lavinia Tai
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 11/06/2008 11:38 PM EST
Dear Nicolas Fernandez,
My heart is filled with joy when I read about your intention to become a priest. Truly you are a wonderful gift from God. I feel so proud of you.
Lavinia Tai
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