Calling: Follow the Signs
Jan 17, 2025
By Kevin Deegan
“Follow your passion: It will lead you to your purpose.”
~Oprah Winfrey
I don’t remember exactly how old I was, but I do recall a moment during Mass with my family. We were sitting in the pews, and I had this strong, almost audible sense of God speaking to me—gently, compassionately—whispering that one day I would be the one standing up there, leading the service. I didn’t fully understand what that meant at the time, but I felt drawn not just to be a passive observer in the pew, but to be actively involved, to be on the altar, taking part in the Mass.
So, as a good Catholic boy, I eventually became an altar boy. I was old enough to start serving at Mass and participating in the rituals. I loved it. Our church was vibrant and lively, and we had a charismatic priest who preached with passion. I felt deeply connected to the community there. Becoming an altar boy felt like the natural next step for me.
I served for a few years, and I’ll never forget when our priest looked at me one day and said, "Kevin, when you get older, you're going to be a priest—and you’ll be a great one." I’m pretty sure he said that to every altar boy, but it stuck with me. I took his words to heart. Something about it felt true for me, like it was confirming a deeper calling I had—a sense that I was meant to serve others in a more active, meaningful way through my faith.
Calling is not destinational, it's directional.
I often say it’s about "following the crumbs"—paying attention to the small signs that guide you toward where you're meant to go. These breadcrumbs are often linked to your passions and the things you enjoy doing. It may seem obvious, but if you start following them, each crumb will lead you to the next, and then the next.
