In the fall of 2019, Micheal Lawrence was a student at McGill and Dio on exchange from Codrington College, an Anglican theological college in Barbados affiliated with the University of the West Indies. He recounts his experience.  

When I pray and talk to God, I say “Lord whatever your Will is for my life, I will obey.” I believe that it was God’s Will for me to leave my island of Trinidad and Tobago—and to journey to Montreal as an exchange student at McGill University and to experience the rich history and culture of the Montreal Diocesan Theological College.  

I thank God for the opportunity to explore another part of the vineyard and to be inducted in the Dio family for the fall of 2019. From the day I arrived in August to my departure in December, my Dio family made this experience a successful and memorable one: from the retreat where we jumped in a chilly Canadian lake—as opposed to the water of the Caribbean beaches—until our student play at the Advent party entitled “The Thawing of Micheal from Trinidad.”   

I was assisted, encouraged and comforted by the staff and fellow seminarians in adapting to life in Montreal: the cold weather, the groceries, 24/7 study places with food, transportation and so much more. Even Bishop Mary Irwin-Gibson of Montreal contributed to this wonderful experience by inviting me to spend my first Thanksgiving with her family and friends.   

The courses were mentally, physically and theologically exhilarating. I got through them by the grace of God and the support of the lecturers and students who said, “We’re all in it together.” I’m thankful for the high level of reading, writing and researching.  I especially enjoyed the personal time that we spent together from our chapel, breakfast (especially our diverse Friday morning breakfasts), lunch and most importantly the Friday ministry seminars.   

This journey reiterated the fact that as seminarians and future clergy, we’re all on the same mission, no matter what part of the world we are in, which is to serve God and his people. We may have different means of doing it, and it may be tougher for some than others. But I’ve personally experienced at Dio that if God brings you to it, he’ll carry you through it, using such wonderful people like my Dio family —and hey, you’ll even have fun doing it.    

I think this experience was my immediate preparation for ordained ministry to the diaconate, which took place on the Feast of Epiphany 2020. I wish that the Dio family could have been present, but I was comforted by your prayers and best wishes you gave me while I was with you. Thank you all and a special thank you to college faculty for their support and encouragement. As they said, “When you come to Dio, we will make it work.” Indeed that is what we all did!  

This article is part of our 2019-2020 Year in Review publication. If you would like a printed copy, drop us a line at [email protected].