Paul Havran

Discipleship I
Sacred Heart Seminary, Hales Corners, WI
Basilica of St. John, Des Moines

I have come to appreciate the weight of spiritual leadership within the family as a parent and husband. Throughout my life, I have worn many uniforms: hat of a farmer, the proud dress blues of a United States Marine, the badge of a law enforcement officer, the quiet humility of a teacher’s attire, and finally, the uniform of the United States Air Force—where I concluded my service in retirement. Each chapter of my life was marked by discipline, duty, and service—not just to country and community—but to something greater: the pursuit of holiness through Christ Jesus.

From the beginning, I sought mentors—faithful men and women, leaders who bore witness to the truth, who could guide me not only in career or calling, but in the deeper mission of becoming a better Catholic and Christian man. In my youth, the journey of discernment was not always clear; I encountered both saints and stumbling blocks along the way. One pivotal moment in this lifelong pilgrimage was my time spent in Jerusalem and the Holy Lands—walking where Christ walked, kneeling where He prayed, and standing in the presence of the sacred. That profound experience deepened my reverence for the Church and reminded me that our faith is not just theology, but living history. Guided by the Holy Mother Church and the unwavering truth of Christ’s teachings, I have been blessed with spiritual directors, coaches, superiors, teachers, and friends whose influence has shaped my soul as much as my character.

Most recently, I was entrusted to the spiritual care of a Benedictine monk—a humble servant of God who models the Paschal Mystery daily. Through fasting, silence, and prayer, not for self but for the greater glory of the Church, the eucharist sacredness of Holy Mass. His example—and those of countless others—has validated the peace that only comes from surrender to Christ.

The debt of gratitude I owe first and foremost is to Christ and to the many who guided me: family, fellow Marines, law enforcement, students, military leaders—both men and women—from across the spectrum of faith traditions, including Navajo spiritual guides and faithful Rabbis. Each, in their own way, reflected the love of Christ, which surpasses all understanding.

I now walk a new path, one of quiet obedience and joyful surrender. My journey has been one of growth, and grace—and it is through that grace that I respond to God’s call in this new chapter: a path toward holy service.

It is my humble prayer and offering that you, too, may encounter the unshakable love of Christ in your own journey. May He lead you, strengthen you, and fill your heart with peace that the world cannot give. For in every step we take, in every trial we face, and in every victory we claim, it is Christ Jesus—our Redeemer—who walks beside us.