Australia’s singing priest talks to Cecilia about vocations and life after the X Factor
Acknowledge what God might be calling you to, and do it scared. Go forward in your fear…He will show you in due time. —Fr. Rob Galea
The Malta-born Australian priest who made headlines with his appearance on Australia’s X Factor is no stranger to Cecilia Music: We’ve written about his mission to “ruin the world,” his electronic dance music video (possibly the first ever by a Catholic priest), and his experience of “working through the mess” at World Youth Day.
In our latest interview we wanted to check in with Fr. Rob – now, nearly a year since his TV appearance – and talk to him about his priestly vocation and life after the X Factor.
It’s been a big year for you, Fr. Rob. You appeared on X Factor, put out a number of music videos, started a formational video series, and travelled across the globe playing concerts and giving talks and retreats. Looking back, did you ever think this is the direction your vocation as a priest would take?
Not in my wildest dreams. Never would I have imagined myself a priest first of all. Never would have I imagined myself in Australia, living across the world from my home in Malta. Never would I have imagined myself on a stage singing to people.
But I don’t think it’s quite as complicated as people think it is – Oh, how did you do that? I just took a step back and thought, “What do I want to do? What did God create me to do, wire me to do?” I’m just being myself.
You once said to God that you would do anything except become a priest. What would you say to the young people out there who are considering a vocation to the priesthood or religious life, especially those who are afraid to do so?
It would be horrible is to lose a vocation because you are scared, because fear doesn’t come from God. So one of the things is to acknowledge what God might be calling you to, and do it scared. Go forward in your fear. We will never know for sure whether this person is the right person for us when we’re getting married. We’ll never know for sure if religious life is for us. The thing is, you have to pursue it and take the risk, thinking, “If it possibly might be the will of God, I’m going to try and do it.” He will show you in due time.
I think the biggest pain comes in resisting to dying to self, not in actually dying to self. It’s like the moment before jumping out of an airplane, not actually skydiving. It’s easy to skydive; it’s fun. But that moment where you have to jump out of the plane is the most painful moment. Having jumped out is the most joyful moment, the most liberating, the most free. So if you want freedom, say yes. You may discover it’s not for you, but even that generosity of saying yes to God is a life-changing decision.
Watch Fr. Rob Galea’s latest music video for “Love That Never Fails” above.
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Libby Reichert
