Fr. Marco Kiyan, PES

"Just continue praying, God will approach. He wants you to know him, so continue praying and continue opening your heart." Fr. Craig and Fr. Drew welcome Fr. Marco Kiyan, PES, parish priest at Corpus Christ Parish, Presentation-Our Lady of Victory Parish, and St. Scholastic Parish, all in Detroit. Fr. Kiyan reflects on a powerful experience of God while preparing for his confirmation and how, before entering seminary, living a materially successful life still left a feeling of emptiness in his heart.(0:26) Fr. Craig welcomes this episodes guest, Fr. Marco Kiyan, a member of the Pro Ecclesia Sancta religious community. The three talk about the upcoming Christmas season and Fr. Marco’s getting to know the community at Corpus Christ Parish, where he was recently assigned.(7:26) Fr. Marco talks about the history and charisma of of his religious community and about growing up in Peru. He shares that while he studied religion in elementary and high school, faith was an academic exercise for him until he had a profound experience during a confirmation retreat in tenth grade.(20:38) Fr. Marco’s first thoughts about a vocation to the priesthood came to him when he was a senior in high school. While studying electrical engineering in university, he was involved with a lay Catholic group. After graduation, he got his dream job and was earning a large salary, traveling the world, but still felt an emptiness inside.(31:18) While reaping the benefits of this material success, Fr. Marco began questioning whether this was the path that God wanted for him. He began praying every day, “God, help me love you.” Months later, after coming home from a friend’s birthday party, he clearly heard God speak to him and invite him to the priesthood.(38:41) It’s after this profound experience that he hears of friends and family who had always thought he had a vocation to the priesthood.(42:21) Fr. Marco talks about why he entered the Pro Ecclesia Sanctia religious community versus another community or the diocesan priesthood and of the blessings of being part of a larger community. He was a professed brother for 10 years prior to his ordination as a priest.