Marriage, sacrifice, vocation: Bishop Olson addresses young adults on love, discerning one’s vocation

An altar server and more than 200 young adults from across the diocese pray during the Young Adult Mass sponsored by the diocesan Office of Young Adult Ministry on February 15, 2025 at St. Bartholomew Church. (NTC/Juan Guajardo)

FORT WORTH — What does Bishop Michael Olson know about marriage? Plenty, it turns out, and he shared it with nearly 200 young adults between the ages of 18-35 at the biannual Young Adult Mass on the day after Valentine’s Day.

Marriage, the bishop explained, was created by God for eternal purposes through the selfless living and loving of one’s spouse.

“The shared life of marriage between a husband and a wife requires sacrificial love on the part of each to prepare each other through holiness and virtue for eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven,” he said during his homily at St. Bartholomew Church in Fort Worth.

While reflecting on St. Luke’s “Sermon on the Plains,” the bishop described how the Beatitudes provide a roadmap for “the sacramental vocation of marriage with its graced and promised intentions of permanence, fidelity, and openness to God’s gift of children.”

Bishop Olson then advised young adults to use this stage of their lives to prepare “through prayer and chaste living to discern the path of married life” and to “trust the selfless and sacrificial example of Jesus in following the path of obedience to His Father that shows the eternal love required for a happy and holy marriage.”

Following the Mass, which was organized by the diocesan Young Adult Ministry, attendees shared a meal in the parish hall and heard remarks from seminarian Trent Barton who spoke about his vocational journey.

Born in rural Seymour, Barton was raised in the Catholic faith along with four brothers. From a young age, his dream was to become a football coach. While attending Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Barton volunteered with the football team and worked his way up to becoming a full-time assistant coach. “I enjoyed coaching young adults and journeying with the players,” he said. “I thought I was living my dream, but there was this longing I had in my heart. Something was missing.”

Barton decided to attend a diocesan discernment event to begin exploring whether God was calling him to be a priest. “Discernment is for everyone,” he said. “All people must discern and ask themselves: What is God’s will for me?”

Fabio Cabezas, 26, a parishioner of Saint Mary the Virgin Church in Arlington, appreciated Barton’s remarks about God’s plan for His people. “I liked when he said the Lord alone is the master builder and we are His laborers,” Cabezas said. “God is working the vision we can’t see.”

Barton shared several important lessons he has learned since starting seminary. The first lesson is to never replace or supersede your vocation — be it priest, religious, or married life — with a profession. “As Bishop mentioned during his homily ‘There is eternal significance to your vocation,’” he said. “You cannot live out your Vocation, capital V, through your profession. The highest calling will always be your Vocation.”

Barton’s second lesson is to pursue one’s vocation with courage, and he counseled the young adults to ask for the Blessed Mother’s intercession. “Mary’s fiat is the greatest act of courage in history,” he said. “She had no idea what was going to happen. She gives us an example and shows us how to follow Christ.”

Lastly, after hearing Christ’s call to a particular vocation, Barton urged his listeners to show unwavering loyalty. “Commit and be faithful to it,” he said. “Discern exactly what it is you’re getting into, but pursue your own vocation with fidelity. When challenges and hardship hit you, stay committed.”

Barton admitted that seminary life is not always easy because “God is slowly pointing things out to you and drawing you closer to Him.” When asked how he handles challenging times, Barton said he turns to prayer and advised them to do the same. “Pray before the Blessed Sacrament with eyes and ears open and wait to hear His voice,” he said.

For any young men considering the priesthood, Barton encouraged them to not be afraid and seek spiritual direction. “Priests are here to help with the movements of the Spirit,” he said. “You are just called to take one step.”

A parishioner of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Keller, Bryan Trachier, 37, attended with his girlfriend, Sarah Stack, 31. What resonated most with Trachier was Barton’s reminder to remain open to God’s voice.

“It’s not super clear cut in the same way for everyone,” he said. “Sometimes God can present options, and He wants you to pick one.” Stack, who attends St. Mark Parish in Argyle, agreed. “Sometimes God is obvious; sometimes He is more subtle,” she said.