About the Salesians / Lenny Carlino

I am Lenny Carlino and I come from Hauppauge, NY on Long Island. My vocation story goes all the way back to about kindergarten. As a child when asked what I wanted to do when I grew up, I would say that I wanted to become a priest. I lived in a pretty secular family, but we went to church when we could. As a young boy though, when we went to church the priest seemed so at peace and important up on the altar, and I had wanted to be in his place with the big robe with no sleeves.

Lenny Carlino

My family then moved to Hauppauge after my little brother was born. I was pretty quiet and not very open to making new friends. I was the studious kid that passed his free time by doing his homework and studying and staying secluded from the world. Still I attended religious education and was always fascinated by it. The story of Jesus and the saints meant so much to me, and I had always wanted to learn more.

I was first introduced to the Salesians right before my confirmation in 8th grade. Ever since we moved to Hauppauge my family had gone to St. Thomas More parish. On one of the confirmation candidate’s community nights the St. Thomas More youth group came. Immediately I was amazed by their energy, spirit, and also reverence of everyone there. I just knew I needed to be a part of that.

The Salesians then started to change my life. The youth group gave me life and suddenly I started to smile more and saw the true joy in the world. All the retreats and lock-ins started to change me, and JLR 2008 brought me right into God’s arms. There I learnt of how Jesus and Mary had guided so many of the people, and I wanted to share in that. Also this is where I would meet the Salesian seminarians for the first time, and began to hear the call to possibly becoming a Salesian priest. I knew then that I wanted to serve the youth of the world, so there was no question that if I was to be ordained; it was to be with the Salesians. So after the retreat I began to pray more and started to do everything that I could to help with the youth group and the parish. I soon started to really understand what ministry was, and took more to heart my roles as a youth leader and lector, and later would become an altar server.

When the time came there was no doubt I had to apply for young team for JLR 2009. I was accepted and the experience was even better than the first. I learnt how a common love of Jesus could bring people from all walks of life together, and I had an awesome experience in adoration where I felt the Lord, simply put, run through me and take over my body. I felt so at peace, and felt the call to share this message with everyone that would listen.

After I would start talking to Fr. Steve Ryan, who then led me to Fr. Franco and after all the paperwork and signatures, I am now a first year candidate with the Salesians in Orange, NJ. I now know that even if you are not 100% sure that you are called to the priesthood or religious life, living in formation is the best place to discern your call, whatever it is. There is nothing to lose!

Here Lenny talks about his faith wall.

Lenny keeps reminders on his wall to address in his daily prayers.

Going through the discernment process is tough but like many others Lenny keeps words of inspiration on his bedroom walls.

Whenever the opportunity presents itself, Lenny enjoys practicing his music in the Salesian music room.