Testimonies - Hugh O'Hara

I was born in the small town of Bancroft, Ontario. However, we moved to Stittsville (in Ottawa) when I was nine, and I've lived there ever since. My parents, Kevin and Suzanne, have five children, of which I'm the eldest. I have just graduated Sacred Heart Catholic High School, and have for the past few years worked part time at the Stittsville Public Library.

I had been interested in becoming a priest for a long time, but had never given much thought about which order. I had intended to get a degree first, but got on a generic mailing list that put me in touch with a variety of orders, Jesuits among them.

I attended a dinner at the Ottawa Jesuit house in January of '02, which was the first time I'd ever actually met a Jesuit. I was very attracted to the order, but still intended to wait until I'd completed university. However, World Youth Day intervened. Through that amazing spiritual experience, I realized that I was simply procrastinating – that I was being called now. Through prayer and dialogue with Fr. Len Altilia, a visit to the Novitiate in St. Paul, and a silent retreat in Pickering, I requested to apply in January of '03.

Dispite the grueling application process, and having endured concerns about my young age, I've made it through. Yet it's been enjoyable, too, getting to spend time with this new ‘second family'. I've had no regrets, and I thank God for bringing me this far!

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