Two young Germans participated in the Legionaries of Christ candidate program at the European novitiate in Madrid. In this interview, they share why and what attracted them.

In a changing world, where the search for meaning and authenticity in life is increasingly urgent, two young Germans set out to respond to a vocation. For them, it is more than just a decision; in the Legionaries of Christ candidate program, they explore fundamental questions about who they are, who they want to become, who God is, and what God has placed in their hearts.

At the end of November 2023, Elias Hamperl, 22 years old, and Kosmas Pistner, 21 years old, spoke with Karl-Olaf Bergmann, Director of Communication for the Central and Western Europe territory, about their experience in Madrid. Along with a young man from Italy, they began this period of vocational discernment three months earlier.

Elías comes from Bavaria; after finishing secondary school in 2021, he moved to the Vocational Center in Bad Münstereifel and then completed a year of social volunteering at an elementary school.

Kosmas hails from the Diocese of Erfurt; after completing secondary school, he dedicated a year as a collaborator of Regnum Christi in Paris. Later, he wanted to study medicine but felt a “deep impulse” to discern a possible vocation to the priestly life.

How did you come up with the idea of going to the candidate program? What led you to this decision?

Elias: As a child, I was very interested in what the priest was doing during Mass. For my First Communion, my grandmother convinced me to go on a pilgrimage to Medjugorje, where I experienced a strong enthusiasm for faith, priesthood in others, and also in myself. Since then, I have felt the urge to know if I could be called to the priesthood. At 15, I went to the Legionaries of Christ Vocational Center. During this time, I experienced firsthand the “life and work of a priest,” and thus, my desire to live like that grew. Over the years, I became more confident in my decision to take this path, and my first concrete step was to participate in the candidate program. I admit I went to Madrid with mixed feelings because I wasn’t quite sure what to expect there in the novitiate. I was afraid that daily life would be characterized by a lot of renunciation, effort, and monotony, but once there, my concerns vanished… I realized that the other young people are quite normal and, above all, that they can “be themselves” and not live as if something is imposed on them. After this positive experience, it became much easier for me to decide to take this step; even more, I was eager to spend time in the novitiate!

What do you like most about the candidate program?

Elias: For me, the candidate program is a time when I can get to know the novitiate and myself better, to see if God is calling me to this community of religious life. Living the daily life of the novices and being accompanied by more experienced priests helps a lot. I especially appreciate the community life with my companions, with whom I share many interests. Also, the beautiful and peaceful environment of the house in the mountains outside Madrid helps to focus on vocational discernment. You have plenty of time to pray and reflect, but also a varied program with outings, sports, etc.

For me, the novitiate is currently the best place to explore my vocation.

And how was it for you, Kosmas? What brought you here?

Kosmas: It was a bit different for me than for Elias. What attracted me, and probably most of them, spontaneously, was the image of my own family. Through Regnum Christi, the question of growth and deepening of faith arose, and only afterward did the question of priesthood come up. I carried this question with me for a long time, sometimes able to answer it temporarily, sometimes setting it aside. In the end, I knew it was only a provisional answer. That led me to the candidate program, which I didn’t want to postpone anymore, which I wanted to take seriously, and which I wanted to give my time to.

Over time, I also discovered the beauty of spiritual life, which was also what attracted me to Regnum Christi in general. At first, the question of vocation was more of an abstract issue, but I soon realized there is much more to it and around it.

What triggered your search for vocation? How did you ask yourself this question?

Kosmas: For me, it was originally associated with a lot of uncertainty and fear because I mainly saw renunciation.

Elias: For me, it was connected to the question others asked me: What do you want to be when you grow up? In this context, various career profiles emerged, but I wasn’t happy with them. As a child, of course, you respond to all kinds of things with this question, but for me, priesthood was one of them. What goes beyond a normal framework for me is that the question of priestly vocation stayed with me for 21 years, sometimes more present, sometimes less. Over the years, there have always been signs pointing to an answer, but for me, vocation has remained a constant process of rediscovery. I also think that vocation is always an adventure with God.

What motivates you to get to the bottom of the vocational question and not avoid it?

Elias: For me, it is also related to the question: What do I want to be in my life, that is, how do I want to be happy? Or also: How do I want to shape my life? Not seeking an answer to this question is actually contrary to our human nature. It’s like not caring about what comes after finishing secondary school. Also, the question plays an important role: What do I want to leave behind afterward? I am the kind of person who likes to answer questions thoroughly.

Kosmas: I can sum it up in one sentence: in the end, it was a kind of honesty with myself. I asked myself this question in a certain way, and I really wanted to see my motivations and what was happening inside me, deal with it, and find an answer. And this from the hopeful perspective of faith, in the sense that I know through my faith that no matter what comes out, God can make me happy. But this is often difficult in everyday life because there is so much to do. Sometimes it takes time to admit things to oneself, to seek the background, and to ask oneself why. I want to see this honestly and examine it before myself and before God. That was the reason I took this step.

What is most important to you in the candidate program?

Elias: Above all, I enjoy the freedom of being a candidate. It is still possible during this time. And that is what I need right now because many things are happening at home. My mother is seriously ill, so I was with her last year, and I still have a lot to organize.

Kosmas: Through the candidate program, I was able to gradually immerse myself into the life of the novitiate, for example, in terms of prayer times. Particularly valuable for me is the spiritual accompaniment during this time, especially the experience of a kind and open formator, which makes many things possible for me and gives me time.

Elias: I also agree that this is a special feature of the candidate program: you feel no pressure. Even if you discover it’s not for you, you can leave freely.

What should others know about the candidate program?

Elias: For me, it is important to say that we are a very happy community, quite calm and normal, with our feet on the ground and not out of this world. The novitiate does not conform to the cliché that one cannot leave the “monastery walls,” and I am even surprised by how often we are “outside,” for example, in the city, where we run confirmation courses, etc. There is no one in our group fleeing from the world or any problems, or who has no idea what to do with their life. I believe everyone here would also have a different option.

Kosmas: Elias has already expressed it well. I agree with that (laughs).

Thank you for your openness and the exciting conversation!

(Photos: Iván Jacques)

Taken from regnumchristi.org