Brother Francis Acheampong, a Ghanaian Catholic monk with the Franciscan Friars of Canada, has told the story of how he left behind the kingdom he was supposed to take over to become a religious.

In a recent video shared by the Franciscan Friars of Canada on YouTube, Brother Francis narrates the events that led to him leaving everything behind, including the position of crown prince, waiting to take over the kingdom of his Akan Royal Family, which he did not name.

He said that from childhood, he fell in love with the Catholic faith while serving as an altar boy (Mass every), which played a vital role in his decision to become a religious person.

“When I started serving at the altar, I think I was around 15, 16 years old, smelling the incense and also hearing a lamp of God who takes away the sins of the world. Those words were so powerful, and it drew my attention. The experience of the liturgy became something unique, something special for me, and I have had the chance to experience other denominations because my mom's side is not Catholic. They are Protestants, and being in a different denomination also made me know the difference. Come to accept my Catholic faith,” she said.

Brother Francis indicated that he had his life planned, with a dream of becoming a lecturer before ascending the throne of his kingdom and marrying his girlfriend, but felt within that these things were not for him.

“I was supposed to inherit a throne and become a king. I refused because my love for Christ wouldn't allow me to. At the same time, I felt like God. I know your calling also involves sacrifices. It involves letting go. At that moment, I felt the courage and the hope to continue.

“... I wanted to become a lecturer. I wanted to become a big lecturer, study, become a PhD holder. It was a time I also felt like getting married. I had a girlfriend, but that happiness, that joy, that I started with at the moment, I lost it all. I felt God is calling me to do something in this world to be an instrument of peace and love, something different from the normal things that every human being would do, and when it comes to love, it's not only about yourself, about your partner's happiness as well. So, at that moment, I got to know, Lord, maybe God is calling me for something else,” he explained.

He indicated that he decided to become a Franciscan Friar after watching videos of their founder on social media, St Francis of Assisi, who he fell in love with and wanted to emulate.

He indicated that his family and friends were not happy at all about his decision, with some saying that he was throwing away his inheritance and a golden opportunity.

“I lost most of my friends. I'm used to receiving praise when I do something, but this time around I felt alone because my family wasn't happy with what I was doing, and my friends weren't either. They were like, ‘This guy is crazy’. They were like, ‘Oh, we're looking for this opportunity that you have, and you're just wasting it’.

“At the same time, I felt like God. I know this; your calling also involves sacrifices. It involves letting go. So at that moment, I felt the courage and the hope to continue. Yeah, if God calls someone, it's very personal. Nobody understands. Nobody around you understands it. You have to follow that silent voice inside you. Sometimes it's not only about your family, but also about the world,” he said.

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Watch the interview below:



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