Lawyers, economists, teachers, construction workers, gardeners, all examples of common jobs. Jobs people do because they want to make money, they probably even like their job, but after a day of work they go home and stretch their legs for a relaxing time. Stefan Draghici has a different job. He is priest and religion teacher in Rovinari and that is not just a job you can forget when you have a day off. Why did he chose this profession and is the role of youngsters in the Church? Passport Priest Stefan Draghici Born: 13.03.1965 Education
1961 – 1979: graduated General School - Telesti, Gorj
1979 – 1981: graduated 2 years high school “Tudor Arghezi” – Targu Carbunesti, Gorj
1981 – 1986: graduated Theological Seminar Craiova, Dolj
1986 – 1987: Military Service
1988 – 1991: Faculty of Theology Bucharest
2000: Tenure in Education Work
1992: Priest and Religion Teacher
- Ciuperceni; Calnic; Rovinari (since Aug. 2003) 
Why have you chosen to become a priest?
We call this profession ‘mission’, which means ‘calling’. I believe that each one of us has a moment in his/her life when he/she decides his/her future. In order to answer to this question I have to tell you my dream: “I was in the 8th grade. It was one afternoon. I was tired o work so I felt asleep. In my dream the sky was clear and I saw a group of angels falling down towards me with an icon or a book. (I could not tell you for sure.) As an impulse I held out my hands, ready to kiss the icon, but in that very moment I woke up.” I remember this dream very clearly and I will remember it until the end of my life. If I had talent I would paint this moment, which I call ‘the calling for my profession’. I want to tell you another happening. I have an elder cousin, priest and now mayor too, who gave me the first religious books and a small Bible. I left for high-school and I took that book with me. A rude teacher took it away from me and I felt very sorry. This action made me very ambitious and I started extra learning. Due to my hard studying I passed the entrance exam for the Theological Seminar in Craiova. I loved that place very much, especially the school yard, which felt like a revelation when I first walked there. I stayed for 5 years in this place. "A priest is a priest, in his spare time too."
How did you form your personality?
I grew up in the countryside, where children didn’t learn to hate, but to give a help to one another, to obey the grown ups and to respect. I cannot have a double personality. I cannot act in one way in the church and in another way during my spare time. A priest is a priest, in his spare time too. Sometimes I am afraid to fail in making all the good that I want and to repay the mean things. Do youngsters come to Church?
The reality shows us that they do. I am happy to see that teenagers find an alternative for their daily stress. They have problems and they have to tell them to someone. Some of them live alone as their parents are left at work. This is the place where they confess their sins and to receive God’s gift. The priest can be a good listener and an advisor too. If they feel relief they will come again. I think that children’s presence and, more important, youngsters presence is a positive element, a pleasant one for the adults too. The adults feel about themselves to be younger and safer, because the next generation brings them the peace which they will need when they are older. What do you do to attract teenagers to come to church? I try to create better conditions for them. A smile and a receiving greeting. I try to make them responsible and to fill their time with other activities. I also guide them to pray, to join the church chorus. We are having a contest of singing carols between schools and we are hoping to start other competitions. Communication and collaboration opens more prospects to attract teenagers to come to Church. “Let the children come to Me” – this is Jesus Christ’ demand. We are waiting for them. How would you describe your relationship with the youth in the church?
I want them to see me as a priest, a guider, an advisor and mainly as a listener. For many times people warn me after the confession: “Father, do not tell others about the confession.” Or: “Please, don’t laugh of me!” Of course I would never do this! I try to get into their minds, to anticipate their questions and to show them some good alternatives to follow. I want to give them a friendly guidance and not to give them the impression that I am standing and they are sitting on their knees. Are teenagers of any help in the development of the church?
The church is the whole of Christians. It is alive. What is alive is also developing. Youngsters are bringing change. They become critical at some points. This thing is not bad, it helps us too. Together we will manage to find a way for Jesus Christ. Youngsters who grow up together with the Church, are encouraged to develop themselves and to form a beautiful character. They learn how to appreciate and to criticize, but in loving critic. Also in the religious classes we try to strengthen their faith, belief and love. The Cathedral in Rovinari is still not finished. Any projects for the finishing of the church?
We are negotiating with a team of painters. For the present moment we are waiting any CD’s and CV’s to follow a legal way for an auction. Our biggest obstacle is financial resources. It costs a lot (100 – 150 euro/m²)! 
One last word for the youngsters?
Don’t change. Make your parents proud of you. Learn and ask always for God’s help. Be always better, because there is room to become better. May God give you peace in your hearts! Cristi |
