Formation Stage: Discipleship
Class: Discipleship I
Diocese: Lafayette
Hometown: Eunice, LA
Home Parish: St. Edward the Confessor, Richard
Ian Randall McElwee
My vocation story begins when I was eight years old. It was at this time that I received my First Communion and was filled with zeal for hopes of the priesthood, thanks to many wonderful priests who my family introduced me to. However, I soon discovered that I had celiac disease and realized the allergic reaction I was having to the Eucharist. This caused me to delay my priestly discernment for seven years. In 2019, I joined a lay apostolate called the Legion of Mary. In praying the Rosary daily and through apostolic ministry such as door-to-door evangelization, I welcomed the Holy Spirit back into my life. This is when my calling began to trickle back in.
Favorite Quote or Bible Verse
“Love is never wasted, for its value does not rest upon reciprocity.” – C.S. Lewis
Fun Fact
My first job was as an apprentice taxidermist who also helped rehab bobcats.