Kate Wicker

Storyteller & Speaker

Prayers for a Modern Prodigal Son

There is not time for a long back story right now, but I have a brother who is on his way Home and could use some support on his journey. Jason, my older brother, grappled with a drug addiction (pain pills, etc.) for many years. This was my family’s secret. Growing up, my friends thought my family was the epitome of vanilla living. Very few people knew what went on within our home: the lies, the tears, the desperate prayers.

Our prayers were answered more than three years ago. Jason hit rock bottom only to find God, to join a Christian recovery program, and to discover that he had a real gift for ministry work.

A few months ago Jason was visibly struggling again. He was no longer at peace. His yoke was not light. Being freed from his addiction was not enough. God was knocking. In fact, Jason believes God had been knocking for a long time, but he kept closing the door on Him. But recently my brother cracked the door open ever so slightly, and the Holy Spirit slipped in and began to work on Jason’s restless heart. Since opening the door Jason has seen something big. It seemed almost too big for him, for his family who loved him. Yet, God is bigger than the biggest of fears we have, so he’s moving forward. Talking to him startles me because he seems so much at peace despite what lies ahead. He’s not sure where this path will lead him, but he is ready to start walking.

My brother Jason who left the Catholic Church for many, many years is now discerning becoming a priest. He is praying the rosary again. He wants to start a Catholic addiction recovery program since there is a great need for one. He has been in contact with a vocations director and has signed up for a discernment retreat at the end of this month. He is allowing the hand of God to take a hold of his life and abandoning his total self to doing His will.

We do not know what will unfold over the following months. My mom is trying to not get overly excited. (A priest for a son and add to that, a son who was lost but now is found!) because she knows this is now between Jason and God, but she has a grateful heart for the son who came back.

I was recently talking to Jason on the phone and mentioned that his goddaughter (my Rachel) had a perfect gift for him (the book He Leadeth Me, which I read upon Jen’s recommendation) when Jason said, “I’m sorry, but it’s going to be a light Christmas for you guys from me.”

“We don’t need any presents. You’re already giving us the greatest gift, Jason. We’ll be praying for you.”

I humbly ask you to do the same. This is such big decision. Jason wants to make sure it is a true vocation. He needs all the prayers he can get and asked me to share this news on my blog.

So in this Year of the Priests, we ask St. John Vianney to pray for all those considering a call to the religious life.

Jesus, we trust in you! Thy will be done!

Comments

  1. Kate – I had the chills just reading this. What an awesome announcement!! Of course, we will begin praying for him right away. If he does discern a vocation to the priesthood, what a powerful story he will have. God is amazing!!

  4. I got goosebumps reading this! What an amazing story of God at work! Prayers coming his way!

  8. What a joy-filled post! And a beautiful Christmas gift. Gives me great hope for our extended family.

    Prayers for you all~
    :)

  9. Kris said it best. This story still hits me….and the prayers continue. What WORK Jason could do in the Church.

    What a blessing for him, and your family!!!

    Blessings!!! PRAYERS!

  10. Oh Kate! I am praying, praying, praying. Whether he is a priest or just a Catholic with a love of priests, may God guide him and Mother Mary hold him close on his journey.

    Thanks for the morning tears and a beautiful post sharing your family story.

  11. Thank you for all the prayers and resources. I've passed them along to my brother.

    God bless.

  12. It is wonderful to hear the stories of how God calls us back to Him. Thank you brother for letting your share his story with all of us! He will be in our prayers!

“She could never be a saint, but she thought she could be a martyr if they killed her quick.”

―Flannery O'Connor