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Year for Priests: Reflecting on vocation, ministry

Name: Rev. Msgr. Roger J. Augustine, Vicar General Emeritus

Birth date: Sept. 23, 1932

Hometown: Born in Geddes, S.D., but considers hometown to be Remsen, Iowa

Education: Graduate of Holy Name High School, Marcus, Iowa; B.A. in History from Loras College, Dubuque; Sacred Theology degree from Gregorian University, Rome (lived at North American College); Masters in Education, Creighton University, Omaha

Ordination date: Dec. 20, 1959

Current Assignment: Senior Priest/Assistant – Blessed Sacrament, Sioux City

Hobbies/Interests: Reading and studying of history, sometimes golf, plate collecting, classical music, crossword puzzles

Describe your call to priesthood: Nothing very striking describes my call. Following high school graduation I helped my dad at farming for two years. During that time I would recall occasions when a religious sister teaching in high school would say I should think about being a priest. Those thoughts I guess prompted me to one day ask my parents if I could go to Loras College with the thought of studying for the priesthood. My parents said, “If that’s what you want, we will support you.” I went and the rest is my history.

Did anyone or anything provide you with inspiration to follow the call to priesthood? As I reflect, there is no doubt that the greatest inspiration to follow the choice I finally made would be the example of faith given to me by my parents. Raising a large family and making every effort to see that all of us could go to Catholic school was a true witness of their love of God, their love of the church and above all, their love for each other and their 11 children.

Was it a difficult decision to make? Once I finally made the choice to study for the priesthood knowing that my parents were supportive of my choice, I guess I knew that this was the right decision for me. I’m certain that their prayers and the support given to me by my pastor helped to overcome any possible doubts to continue that journey.

What do you enjoy most about being a priest? In the span of almost 50 years as a priest, I have experienced many different appointments and areas of ministry: a teacher in a high school, an associate priest and pastor in several parishes, doing chancery and tribunal work, the diocesan administrator and now a senior priest – all of which I have enjoyed because the Lord has called me to serve him and his church. Being able to celebrate the sacraments with people, share the Good News and help people know and grow in their faith has been a privilege. However, what has been the most important and sacred moment for me is to offer Mass, for it is the time when I act most intimately in “the person of Christ,” to be his instrument to bring about the saving mysteries of his redemption to all.

Are there any particular devotions or prayers that are dear to your heart? Praying the hours of the Divine Office has special meaning because it is my duty as a priest to pray daily with and for the church in union with brother priests. The practice of praying the rosary each evening with my family while growing up has helped me to continue to pray the rosary in my daily prayer.

Why do you find the priesthood to be a worthy vocation? Each priest knows that no one is worthy of this vocation. But when one freely accepts the fact that the call came from God and joyfully embraces it he knows that God will give his graces to persevere in your choice. I am forever grateful of this awesome gift from God to be his instrument forever.

What would you say to a young man considering a vocation to the priesthood? If you are thinking that God is calling you, pray that you will be open to his will. Seek guidance from a priest. Always try to remember that what God has in mind for you is what you were made for and what you would be best at. If his will is that you become a priest, you are being called for something important and it is going to be good for you. You can’t go wrong if you “Come and see.”