The person who many in Italy are calling the country’s most handsome man is stepping down from his modeling career to focus on a life of piety to join the priesthood in service of God. Edoardo Santini is a 21-year-old Italian man who once graced magazine covers and was lauded for his physical appearance, but now he will take that platform and use it to bring people closer to Jesus Christ.
At just 17 years of age, Santini was chosen as the most handsome man in Italy and after years of drama classes, he seemed poised to take his career in the public spotlight to the next level. That was the case until he made a social media post announcing that he would be turning in his swimsuits and modeling costs for the clothes of the clergy.
Santini teased plans of joining a seminary school in Florence, Italy, and had this to say about the journey which he would soon embark, according to Daily Mail. “At 21 years of age I find myself on the path towards becoming a priest, God willing. I’ve decided to give up modeling work, acting and dance, but I won’t abandon all my passions, I’ll just live them differently, offering them up to God.”
Edoardo said that he saw his life moving parallel to that of his father, saying, “At 21 years old my father took the decision to marry my mother because she was pregnant and my mum, at 21, became a mother. Me, at 21-years-old, I find myself taking the path to become, God willing, a priest. In these past years I’ve been able to meet people who have shown me what it means to be ‘church’.”
This brave step from the young man is a sign of strong parenting and a testament to those who raised him. To shun the worldly gifts and acceptance that he has received for all this time is an impressive display of strength and faith and is sure to make the Santinis proud of their son.
Santini erased any doubt that he was telling the truth when he revealed that he was already enrolled in seminary school, saying, “At the end of the year it was natural for me to ask the bishop to enter the preparatory course, the year that precedes life in the seminary. And here I am, studying theology and serving two parishes in the Florentine diocese.”
Not surprisingly, Santini is dealing with naysayers and haters who think he is making a foolish decision, but he says, “Of course I have people that speak behind my back. There are those who have no problem telling me that I’m a disappointment, even in my family. But there are also those who support me, believers and non-believers.”
Edoardo Santini has made a brave decision for a young man of his age, and its time that he gets some credit for it. To shun the worldly accomplishments and promises that had been made to him for a life serving God is to be applauded by the masses.
Featured image credit: Eduardo Santini Instagram post
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