John Wehrly, 27, with hands clasped, walked up to receive the "Blood of Christ" during the mass that opens the school year at The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity at the University of St. Thomas. Wehrly originally from Fort Wayne, IN, has always had the god and the Catholic Church as a part of his life. Wehrly took a leap of faith this fall by not pursuing the law degree he just earned but to enroll in The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity " I've had this polar, this desire towards the priesthood and towards the life of single service to god's people and god since I was an undergrad, " said Wehrly. After filing out the application for the seminary and meeting all the requirements to enter Wehrly said he was still wavering, not completely sure. On April 1st he asked god for an open heart. He said during prayer, " You've got me. At least for this next year and if this is what you want of me I know it is going to fulfill me. So I say yes. If you put it on my heart I say yes." This fall Wehrly joined the largest class at The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity that they've had since 1981. (Dml - Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

John Wehrly, above center, joined the growing ranks at the St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity for the opening mass of the school year last weekend. His class of 33 is the largest since 1981 at the seminary, located at the University of St. Thomas. "I've had this desire towards the priesthood and towards the life of single service to God's people and God since I was an undergrad," said Wehrly, 27. Still, he wavered about making the commitment. On April 1, he said, he prayed to God for an open heart and got his answer. "You've got me," he said. "At least for this next year, and if this is what you want of me, I know it is going to fulfill me. So I say yes."

about the writer

Kyndell Harkness

Assistant Managing Editor of Diversity/Community

Kyndell Harkness is the Star Tribune’s Assistant Managing Editor of Diversity/Community.