Heeding God’s Call: An Interview with Fr. Peter Turrone
Father Peter Turrone Ph.D. of Holy Rosary Parish in Toronto, Ontario, Canada has had a fascinating life. Not only was he called to the priesthood, but he also holds multiple degrees in science, including an undergraduate degree in psychology from York University, as well as a master’s and doctoral degree in Medical Science and Neuroscience. However, his journey to the priesthood mirrors that of St. Augustine of Hippo and St. Ignatius of Loyola, both of whom struggled with their faith before rediscovering it in the most unexpected places.
Fr. Turrone was once an atheist, influenced by religious conflict at home and the loss of his aunt. His mother was Catholic, his father was a Jehovah’s Witness. Turning to science, he ultimately rediscovered God, realizing creation was not random but purposeful.
With this renewed faith, he immersed himself in Catholic prayer groups and daily Mass. It was then that someone asked if he had ever considered the priesthood. Through these experiences, he came to understand that suffering and love are intertwined and that by avoiding suffering, one never truly learns how to love.
What drew you into the life of a priest and how do you think the priesthood has helped you with your calling?
I didn’t choose the priesthood; I was called to it. From a young age, I felt a strong pull toward it, but two defining moments solidified my calling: a profound experience at a Franciscan retreat in Ohio and the deep joy I felt during my First Communion and Confirmation. At the time, I couldn’t fully understand or express what was happening.
As I grew older, I became an atheist for years, but returning to faith and prayer rekindled that pull. At first, I was afraid, I had planned to become a scientist, and I had earned my doctorate. But through prayer and the many confirmations God sent me through events and people, I eventually accepted my vocation. My final “yes” came during the Steubenville Young Adult Conference while pursuing my master’s before earning my Ph.D.
What is the formation of the Priesthood like? What’s the journey and how do you enter it? Do you have to choose a religious order or can you be ordained by the Diocese?
As a graduate student, I attended a “Come and See” weekend hosted by the archdiocese and enjoyed it. Around the same time, I came across a pamphlet about becoming a missionary while attending a conference on the Virgin Mary with Scott Hahn at a university in Toronto.
I had always felt a calling to evangelize, so after earning my doctorate, I joined the missionaries. The admission process was rigorous, involving extensive interviews. Once accepted, I moved in and began formation. Since a bachelor’s in philosophy was required for theology studies, I returned to complete that degree before entering the novitiate,a year-long spiritual retreat in Italy. From there, I studied Theology at the Vatican, earning my undergraduate degree.
Upon completion, I was sent on a mission to Mongolia, where I lived for nearly three years in the Gobi Desert, continuing my studies and learning Mongolian. I was later ordained as a transitional deacon in Mongolia before returning to Toronto for priestly ordination in my home diocese. After ordination, I was sent back to Mongolia but fell ill and had to return to Toronto. Through discernment with my religious superior and spiritual director, I decided to remain in Toronto and join the local clergy.
How do you envision the guidance of a spiritual director or mentor supporting you throughout your formation?
I would say that a spiritual director is essential, especially when discerning a vocation. Whether someone is called to marriage or single and/or religious life, God calls everyone to, love and draw closer to Him.
I have always had a spiritual director. Their role is not to impose decisions but to help discern God’s will, offering guidance, correction, and encouragement. A good director reaffirms one’s path and helps maintain focus on Christ’s narrow way.
Do you have a particular saint who served as an example for you to follow as you were studying for the priesthood?
In regards to saints, I love them all. The first saint I began to pray to when I came back to the Catholic Church from atheism was St. Thérèse of Lisieux because I found her diary, Story of a Soul. When I read St. Thérèse’s diary, I was attending an advanced neuroscience course up north, and I was more interested in Thérèse’s diary than in my studies. I was consuming it voraciously.
St. Thérèse inspired in me a desire for holiness and a longing to understand my vocation. Her reflections on Scripture helped me see the saints as spiritual friends and guides. The Letter to the Hebrews reminds us that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses who intercede for us, and I felt this firsthand through her help.
Did your family support you during your formation to the priesthood?
Yes, they did! My father actually returned to the Church, and while my mother was initially unhappy about me becoming a priest, she eventually accepted that it was my true vocation. Now, my family is very happy and supportive.
I’ll never forget my ordination on Saturday, September 1, 2012, at 11 a.m. There was a big reception with about 450 people, including the bishop. Many gave speeches, but my father’s stood out the most. He shared a dream he had as a little boy in Italy. In the dream, the Virgin Mary showed him a map of the world and said, “You won’t move to Western Europe. You’ll go to Canada, where there is lots of snow. You’ll get married, have children, and one of your sons will become a priest.”
Hearing that, everything in my life made perfect sense, it was a confirmation of my path. But I believe we all go through our own journey of discovery. I’m deeply grateful for my vocation.
Is there any message that you want to give priests, people who want to be priests, or who want to see if they have a vocation?
God created us to know, love, and serve Him in this life so we may be with Him in the next. This truth, found in the Penny and Boston Catechisms, defines our purpose. Our destiny is not to chase material pleasures, which only lead to disappointment and risk our salvation, but to seek God, for only in Him do we find fulfillment. As St. Pope John XXIII said, “Do not walk through life without leaving worthy evidence of your passage.”
Discovering why God created us and fully embracing that vocation is the greatest thing we can do for ourselves and others. If you feel a call to the priesthood, a fleeting thought may not mean much, but if it returns persistently, bringing quiet joy, it may be God’s voice. St. Ignatius of Loyola’s discernment of spirits has guided me in this.
Seek spiritual direction and consecrate yourself to the Trinity through the Virgin Mary’s prayers. She intercedes for us, helping Christ be formed in us. On the cross, Jesus gave us His mother, she desires our salvation and calls us to embrace our God-given vocation. Yet, God will not save us without our cooperation. Stay close to Him, and He will lead you.
God called me to the priesthood, and my purpose is to embrace my identity as a Catholic priest. Through different vocations, God calls us to holiness and to be as close to Him as possible on this side of heaven. As the Gospel of Mark says, Jesus chooses whomever He wants to be with Him, to learn from Him, and to go on a mission. My mission as a priest is to serve, to offer the sacraments, to help others grow in holiness, and to pray for the Church and all people, so they may draw closer to God’s mercy and guidance.
For inquiries, Fr. Peter Turrone can be reached through his parish at:
Holy Rosary Parish
354 St. Clair Ave. West
Toronto, Ontario, M5P 1N4
Email: office@holyrosary.ca
Phone: (416) 923-8471
Daily TV Mass Photo – https://www.youtube.com/@DailyTVMass
