BRIDGEPORT—As a kid growing up in Port Au Prince, Haiti, Férry Galbert knew the Mass in creole and had the desire to become an altar server. One could say that God placed the call on his heart early on, but Galbert would not realize that until many years later.
In 1997, Férry and his family moved to the United States, and their first parish was the Basilica of St. John the Evangelist in Stamford. It was there that he was first able to become an altar server and “be close to where Jesus comes down at the altar,” he shared. It was also there that he was exposed more to the contents of the faith. Monsignor DiGiovanni, pastor, and Father Paul Check, parochial vicar, encouraged him in his faith journey. After receiving confirmation, Galbert began working as a data register and assistant at the parish, where he was exposed to many of the daily goings-on of parish life. “The procession toward priestly vocation was a big journey with the Lord and with the faith,” shared Galbert, “and a lot of that was in conjunction with the exposure I had through working at the parish.”
During this time, Férry was taking classes at Norwalk Community College. Like many young people, he wasn’t entirely sure what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. Through his work at the Basilica, Férry learned that he had a desire to serve the community and to be with people when they needed it most. This desire led him to become a registered nurse. He began working at Stamford Hospital, and it was around that time that his call to the priesthood became more prominent.
“I started wondering about the fundamental questions of life,” Galbert said. At the hospital, he saw people at their most vulnerable. He saw all types of people at their best and worst, and the questions that he heard priests discussing came back to mind. “We are always yearning for more,” shared Férry. “Our hearts are restless. We are constantly seeking new things and experiences, and the message of the Gospel is contrary to that,” he said. Galbert explained that that is the reason people struggle so much, because our hearts are made for the infinite, and find a sense of peace being oriented to Our Lord.
“I was being called to a greater conversion,” said Férry, who was yearning for his spiritual side even while working. “The Lord was dropping hints,” he said. His spirit of evangelization was always there, he just had to find the right path through which to fully realize that.
The lay faithful at St. John’s played a significant role in encouraging Férry toward the priesthood. They would encourage him to pray about it, and slowly the Lord began to work on his heart. Through his work at the parish, Galbert was able to see good and holy priests working together, namely Msgr. DiGiovanni, Father Paul Check and Father Terrence Walsh. Their love and reverence for the Lord, their example of Spiritual Fatherhood and their love for the Church and the faithful made an impact on Férry’s own journey. “They had a genuine love for Jesus,” said Galbert. “They were able to give of their lives and express the love they had for their community.”
Férry also credits his parents for introducing him to the idea of “self-giving.” His parents worked hard to provide a good life for their family. They prayed together, prayed the Rosary, and he still remembers his mother waking him up for Mass on Sunday morning. “Everything we encountered in Haiti,” shared Férry, “showed my parents’ self-sacrifice, giving of oneself for another.”
As Férry’s calling become more prominent, he began to question whether he was worthy and whether he would be happy. “As the Lord worked through my own heart, I saw there had to be more; I wanted to see what the Lord had in store for me,” he said. “I began to see how the Lord was using the mundane experiences of my life to point me in the right direction.”
In January of 2017, Galbert entered the seminary. “The seminary is instrumental to formation,” he said. “It is where we learn about the faith and how it applies to us today and shows us how to be human.”
When Férry first entered the seminary, he explained that he initially worried about how he was going to support himself financially, and he even requested to continue working in the summer. Férry mentioned his gratefulness for those who donate to the Bishop’s Appeal. “It allows the men to mentally rest, rather than worry about the financial aspect of things and focus on their studies instead.”
Thanks to those who donated to the Bishop’s Appeal, Férry was able to put financial worries aside and fully engage himself in the life of the seminary—which is a full one!
The men begin their day with morning prayer, which includes a Rosary or meditation and Liturgy of the Hours. They then gather for breakfast before class begins. With a short break after class, they then gather for noon Mass. Every Tuesday, seminarians participate in a formation talk, which covers topics such as pastoral issues, dealing with finances and the impact of scandal in the Church. Formation is both pastoral and intellectual, making sure seminarians are well-grounded. After class on Friday, the men have time to themselves, though often there is a get-together, ministry, or talk for them to take part in on the weekends.
Férry mentioned that those who make donations to the Bishop’s Appeal are investing in the Kingdom of God by helping men who are laying down their lives to become agents of the kingdom. “The Church needs to support its members in order to effectively live the Gospel, and that is part of how we live and function as human beings.” He referenced John 13:35: “Jesus said, ‘By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’”
The theme of this year’s Bishop’s Appeal is A Bridge Home; it offers “hope” and Férry offered a message of hope to all the faithful. Reflecting on his experiences both in Haiti and in the hospital setting, Galbert said that sickness and death are not the end. “The hope is that we are not alone. Jesus Himself said it, ‘I am with you until the end of times’ (Matthew 28:20).” “His Spirit is in the Church,” said Férry, citing the many ecclesial movements filling the Church with life. “We have to allow Him to work in our lives, allowing him to anoint every part of our lives for his glory.”
As he continues his journey in the seminary, Férry’s greatest prayer is to become closer to the Lord so that he can become an instrument for Christ.
“We are in such need of hope,” he said, “we give ourselves because Jesus Christ exists, he conquered death and only by staying close to Him can we move forward.” “I hope to acknowledge that we are on this journey together; there is enough suffering in the world—we need the Lord, and we need one another; the first face of Christ is through the next person we meet.”
(When you make a gift to the Bishop’s Appeal, you help support young men discerning their call to the priesthood who will serve as future Shepherds of our Catholic faith. To make a gift and learn more please visit 2022Bishopsappeal.org or call 203.416.1470. Thank you for your generosity.) n
