Christopher Roux is the son of Raymond D. and Gail P. Roux of Rock Hill, South Carolina. He is a 1981 graduate of Camden High School, Camden, South Carolina. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from the College of Charleston, South Carolina in 1988. He is in third theology at Saint Vincent Seminary and is from the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina.
This story is from the April 21, 2000 Catholic News and Herald of the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina. Reprinted with permission.
By Joann S. Keane
From the age of five, Christopher Roux sensed he wanted to be a priest.
“That was sort of always there, through grammar school, high school, dating and everything else,” said Roux, now 36 and anticipating ordination by 2002. “I just somehow always knew.”
To be an instrument in the eucharistic mystery is what Roux looks most forward to in priesthood. “The greatest miracle on earth is when that bread and wine is transformed into the body and blood of Christ,” he said. “To be used by God in that way is very awe-inspiring.”
Like many of his brother seminarians, Roux entered the professional world after college, working as a youth ministry director, for a pediatric health project, and as an assistant director of human resources for a catering company. The calling to priesthood stayed strong, however, and Roux spent a year in college seminary.
The youth ministry and health care experiences, he said, taught him much about evangelizing and helping people in need, while the human resource work fostered some of the management skills he’ll need in parish life.
“I think I can handle hiring a parish staff a lot easier than some of the human resources work,” he said with a laugh. ”They don’t have to tend bar.”
A couple of chance meetings with Bishop William G. Curlin – in addition to having family in the Carolinas – influenced Roux to decide to pursue studies for the priesthood of the Diocese of Charlotte.
He said support from his family, brother seminarians and the people he will someday serve as a priest has been invaluable while in formation.
“I don’t think that can be underestimated,” he said. “It’s just nice to know that people are thinking of me and praying for me.”
