I am happier than I have ever been in my entire life, but I still would have never imagined that someday I would end up in the seminary. Just as I began to shape life to my will, God's will changed my life. Life was giving me a lot of trouble, but with a whole 17 years of experience under my belt, I decided in my senior year that I was going to apply to the seminary college.

Just before that I had been contemplating either going to the Marines or going to college to study criminal justice to become a detective. I still remembering the day Dad and I had the talk. Two violent professions and then the priesthood --- could you blame him for not taking me seriously? But even before then, I was always such a troublemaking kid.

I still remember the time I caused our youth ministry to call in a 911 due to a practical joke gone wrong. I can remember, as a five-year-old kid, being a Casanova with all the preschool girls; who would have ever imagined that little ol' me, who used to beat up his sister and call his aunt names that one day caused a set of keys to come flying at his head, would one day be studying passionately to pursue the call and mission that God would put before him?

If there's one thing I've learned in my 19 years of living, it's that it doesn't matter where you've been or what you've done, God calls whom he wills. I don't think I will ever get over the fact that God chose me to carry this cross, but I don't have to understand it. I only have to be thankful.

For me, the priesthood is my way of growing closer to God, but more importantly, it's my way of helping others meet the God who will forever change their lives. Thank you all for your prayers and support. God Bless.

Sergio Lopez is from St. Rose of Lima Church in Simi Valley.

This is the 12th in a periodic series spotlighting those in formation for priesthood for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.