Fr Seán (Ginger) Noone from Erris, Co. Mayo has documented his life ministering in England, the US, Ireland and around the world on cruise ships in the book Crossing the Channel. Here we publish an extract covering his decision to become a priest.

Ginger first emigrated to England in 1952 at the age of 16, to join his brothers working in Lincolnshire. The urge to emigrate again moved Ginger in September 1961 to join a few local fellows going to the potato picking in Lincolnshire. That year he experienced a watershed, a crucial turning point in his life.

At Mass one Sunday morning in the little Franciscan church at Woodhall Spa, while sitting four seats from the back, close to the window with the sunlight shining through, he felt an intense desire to be a priest as Fr Kevin Teehan, assisted by Brother Francis, processed up the aisle to the altar.

Desire

Over the years, he had often wished he was a priest, but not having the necessary education to enter a seminary, he didn't entertain the thought for long. Now the desire was different, it was deep-rooted and was not easily dismissed. He couldn't remember what the homily was about, but he did remember Fr Kevin saying that Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament would be at four o'clock in the afternoon. That was his cue, the opportunity to speak privately with Fr Kevin, for he didn't want his work companions to know his thoughts.

Returning to the 'kip' (lodgings) after Mass, one of his companions asked ''Are you alright? You seem to be in a trance.'' ''Yes! Yes! I'm ok,'' answered Ginger laconically. Soon after dinner was eaten, he discreetly slipped round to the home of one of the English farm workers, borrowed a bicycle, and cycled to the little church. After Benediction, he knocked on the door of the presbytery.

Franciscan

A tall, young, red-haired priest opened the door. ''Hello, what can I do for you?'' he asked. ''I would like to be a priest,'' uttered Ginger in a nervous tone of voice. ''Oh, come in and have tea with me; I am Fr Kevin, a Franciscan.'' Ginger was led into a small, cosy dining room with an open fire. Br Francis, a short, stocky friar came in carrying a tray of tea and hot mince pies. Ginger had never eaten mince pies. He tried one, but didn't like it. It had a sour and bitter taste. But he couldn't reject it with Fr Kevin staring at him from across the table. He had to make a good impression, so he gulped it down.

''So you would like to be a priest?'' enquired Fr Kevin. ''Yes, I would,'' answered Ginger. ''Tell me about yourself,'' Fr Kevin said. Ginger related to him his background, and that he had no formal education from the time he left the primary school at the age of fourteen.

Fr Kevin then talked for some time about the Franciscan life and what was required of an aspirant to the priesthood in the Franciscan Order and added, ''Well, my good man, the best advice I could give you is this; in becoming a priest there are three things you must have: a love of God, good health, and the ability to study for many years. If you think you possess all three, give it a try; only then will you know yourself if it's the right life for you. Would you like me to give you the name and address of my Provincial?''

Blessed

''Yes please Father'', said Ginger. And with that Fr Kevin took a pen from his pocket and wrote Reverend Father Maurice Gaugh OFM Conventual, 1 Elmsley Road, Mossley Hill, Liverpool. ''This is the name and address. Write to him,'' Fr Kevin said. Then he blessed Ginger, wished him well and they parted.

Cycling back to the farm to join his companions, many thoughts ran through his mind. He had finally confronted inner yearnings that had haunted him back through the years, but the lack of a secondary education and the social life he enjoyed, had quickly banished them.

Now he was at a major crossroads in his life. Stopping at a roadside lay-by, he sat down on a bench and reflected on the avenues that presented themselves. He was the last son staying in the homestead; his mother would be expecting him home to continue farming as his father had done; he would also like to marry, have a wife and children, settle in the family farm; furthermore, he has his father's name and the family assumed he was the natural inheritor; and finally, deep within his heart, there was a burning desire to be a priest. Pausing for a while, he reflected and prayed. The desire to be a priest was so great that it surpassed all other interests.

Cordial reply

Once he had a permanent address he wrote to Fr Maurice Gaugh. Within a few days he received a cordial reply inviting him to Saint Bonaventure's Friary, Anglesey, North Wales, where he could stay for some time while he considered his vocation. Fr Maurice would see him there. It was exactly what he wanted, to get away from the bustle of life; pray and reflect on where those inner promptings were leading him.

In the meantime he didn't tell his work friends, not even his own family, what his plans were. He continued working for Norwest Construction Company, and when the time was right he informed them he was terminating his work, giving some vague reason for leaving. Then, on the eve of his departure he told his workmates and those in the lodging house where he was going. Some didn't believe him; others thought he was crazy. But on the following day, February 22, 1962 they were at the local railway station to see him off.

Now in the friary, he wrote to his mother telling her of the decision he had taken. He knew she expected him home to cut turf, and commence spring work on the farm. It was with a mixture of disbelief, sadness, elation and joy that she read the letter. She never knew that he had any thought of becoming a priest; she had hoped that he would come home, marry and manage the farm. In her reply she expressed those thoughts and added, since he had now followed another course of life, she wished him God's blessing and fulfilment of his deepest desires.

Extract taken from Crossing the Channel, An Amazing Adventure, by Fr Seán Noone. Proceeds from the sale of the book go to local charities in Mayo. The book is available through Erris Publications. Contact 097-84032 or email: snblain@hotmail.com