Alvin Lucas a/l Devasahayam

Kuala Lumpur

My name is Alvin Lucas I’m 36 years old. Currently, I’m staying in Port Klang and attached to St.Anne’s Church. My parents, Mr Devasahayam who is 66 years & Fatimah 63 years, are active church goers. Our family has been active in church since I was young and that was what led me to follow my parent’s footsteps by joining the servers at the age of 8 with my 2 brothers. I was with this ministry until I was 18 years old. In addition, I served as a backup server during seasonal periods at The Church of Annunciation in Raub whenever I was back home. My last serving was when I was 30 years old.

My vocation journey started during my teenage years. I was inspired to become a priest when I was 17 by the priest who served our parish then. His caring and active involvements in the parish and in his priesthood made me feel the deep sense of love he had in his ministry. I, therefore, grew up in an atmosphere of spiritual being and companionship.

In 2014, I returned home to celebrate Holy Week with my parents. I didn’t expect that the season of ‘LENT’ would have changed my life so much but, it had. I was called as a server for the Holy Week masses, and the celebrant was Archbishop Julian, who was then a priest. I had an opportunity to walk closely with him during mass preparation. Bishop Julian inspired me with his talks, and awakened in me a great desire to celebrate this ‘Holy Mass’ one day as a priest myself, God’s willing. There were still many questions but few answers. Since then, I have been searching for the answers. I have visited churches frequently seeking answers from God. I have felt inner peace and the presence of God since I started to spent more time in church.

I shared my thoughts and desires in the priesthood with Fr. Christopher, who was then a vocation director. Since then, I have started seriously on a journey with Fr. Chris. With God’s blessing, it has been really helpful as I journeyed with him. Then, he directed me to attend vocation camps and stay-in program at College General in August 2016. My journey continued strongly under his guidance. In 2016, I met Fr Paulino who was our parish priest at that time, and also journeyed with him. With his directions, I became involved closely with the Tamil Groups, both Tamil Apostolate and the Tamil Choir, the altar servers and the Legion of Mary. I have also accompanied Fr Paulino to ‘Orang Asli’ Settlements in Pahang. It has been an eye opener for me to serve beyond the church’s comfort zone and serve the poor and needy. Fr Paulino also helped me in my prayer life and in appreciating the importance of God’s presence in our lives. In 2019, I met Msgr Mitchell , our parish priest, and shared with him my desire to enter the seminary and he has also guided me in the process. He directed me to meet Fr Augustine and Fr Vincent Thomas for the college intake process as well.

The above is my vocation journey and I would say that this is my experience of encountering God’s presence in my life. The call to the priesthood for me is a call to a unique and important mission of sharing spiritual teachings and God’s graces with others. I know that I do not have all the answers to my questions yet. However, I hope to be able to continue my search and discover myself and my thoughts during my journey in the seminary.

Yours faithfully,

Alvin