God does not normally knock you off your horse!
Father Nathan Long is one of the “younger” priests in the diocese. He was ordained a priest on May 10, 2008. Father Long, like most who respond favorably to God’s call to ordination or professed life, did not experience a lightning bolt message from God, instructing him to study for the priesthood.
As a young child growing up in the LeBleu Settlement area of Calcasieu Parish, Father Long felt he was called to the priesthood. However, it was a subtle call that was accompanied by uncertainty. “Maybe, I am called; but, maybe I’m not”. Father Herbert May, who was assigned to St Joseph’s Chapel in the Settlement, asked the young Nathan if he’d like to train as an altar server. He declined. However, that voice of calling continued to be present to him.
After graduating from high school, he participated in the Steubenville South Youth Rally and that voice was still present. Nathan went on to LSU for two years when he decided the call to priesthood must be real. He entered St. Joseph Seminary College (“St. Ben’s”) for the remainder of his college days and then onto Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans.
The formation part of his priestly vocation ended on May 10, 2008 when Nathan Long was ordained a priest by Bishop Glen Provost and became Father Nathan Long, a priest of the Diocese of Lake Charles. His first assignment is associate pastor at Our Lady Queen of Heaven, Lake Charles.
Lest you think Fr Long spends all of his time doing “priestly things”, he is also very much interested in the outdoors: hiking and mountain biking. He also spends his quieter leisure time in reading and listening to music.
If you think you might be called to the life of a Catholic priest, please contact the Very Reverend This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Vocation Director for the Diocese of Lake Charles . If you believe learning more about Father Long’s journey may help your own discernment, Fr Guilbeau can arrange for you to speak to Father Long.