Posted on 07/19/2011 8:00:13 PM PDT by marshmallow
Chase Hilgenbrinck looks back on his first few months at Mount St. Mary’s and wonders how he did it.
His decision to leave behind a Major League Soccer career for the priesthood generated such enormous interest that between the interview requests and the speaking engagements, he hardly had any energy left for his studies.
Since then, Hilgenbrinck has curtailed his public exposure to devote more time to becoming a priest.
“It was crazy,” said Hilgenbrinck, who grew up in Bloomington, Ill. “But at the time, I thought that was normal. I thought that was normal for me because when I was a soccer player, I was doing interviews every day. ... I’m grateful for the wisdom of my [advisers] who said, ‘You can’t keep this pace up.’ ”
Many professional athletes have gone into the ministry, but few walk away from their sport in their prime, as Hilgenbrinck did in 2008 when he was a defender for the New England Revolution.
As Hilgenbrinck said at the time, his decision to become a priest was a gradual one. Now three years into his studies at the Emmitsburg, Md., seminary, he says he has no regrets.
That isn’t to say he doesn’t miss soccer. Hilgenbrinck, who also serves as the chaplain for the Mount St. Mary’s soccer team, trains with the team, keeps in touch with his former teammates and watches soccer on television.
“I certainly do miss it,” he said. “It is a part of me I’ll always love.”
Hilgenbrinck will be ordained in May 2014. Then it will be up to his bishop where he serves God. Of the many options, it is clear where his heart lies.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Thanks for the excellent news. “No regrets,” said Hilgenbrinck. Bravo. May his studies be guided by the Spirit.
>>“I certainly do miss it,” he said. “It is a part of me I’ll always love.”<<
Callings always require sacrifice.
Sorry to say this & forgive me - but that guy is HOT.
I don’t know if I could get through Mass with him celebrating. I’d be too distracted. Sorry; don’t flame me.
What an inspiring story.
One for the sixth grade vocation rallies!
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GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOODDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
Soccer player? Wow! He must have given up hundreds of dollars in contract and endorsements...
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