Fr. Maxwell never imagined he’d become a priest. As a boy in Ghana, he dreamed of becoming a pilot, and his father, who passed away when he was just seven, hoped he’d pursue a career in law. But as he grew older, his path took an unexpected turn—one that led him to the priesthood, albeit after much prayer, reflection, and years of preparation.
“I had no intention of becoming a priest,” Fr. Maxwell recalls. “But when I was offered a place at the minor seminary, I moved in without much thought. I didn’t think this would be my life.”
It was a simple shift in living arrangements that began Fr. Maxwell’s journey toward the priesthood. While enrolled at a school with a boarding house, he learned that the prefect at the minor seminary knew his mother. The priest offered to take care of him, and without any intention of pursuing religious life, Fr. Maxwell moved into the seminary.
As time passed, Fr. Maxwell found himself listening intently to priests and bishops who shared their own stories. Slowly, his thoughts turned to the possibility of priesthood. “I started to feel like maybe this was what God was calling me to,” he says. When he confided in his mother, she encouraged him to pray about it. “I prayed more during that time than I ever have in my life.”
Still discerning his call, Fr. Maxwell was drawn to the idea of the Divine Word Missionaries (SVD) after a friend shared their missionary life with him. “I was attracted to the idea of living in community and being sent anywhere to serve. The idea of being part of something bigger than myself resonated deeply with me,” he says.
Despite concerns from his sister about his decision to forgo a potentially lucrative career, Fr. Maxwell trusted that God would provide. “If God is calling me, He will take care of everything,” he remembers thinking.
Fr. Maxwell’s formation as a Divine Word Missionary was a long and challenging journey. He studied philosophy in Ghana for three years before entering the novitiate.
His missionary training then took him across the globe—first to the Democratic Republic of Congo to study French and theology, then to Chile to learn Spanish and engage in missionary work. “It was during my time in Chile that I discovered a passion for education,” he says, which led to his decision to pursue further studies.
After completing 11 years of formation, Fr. Maxwell was ordained a priest in July 2012, with his family present to witness the momentous occasion in Ghana. But he didn’t stop there—he continued to seek opportunities to grow and serve.
Though he initially hoped to be assigned to Brazil, he was sent back to Chile, where he served as associate pastor in a parish in Los Angeles. After a few years, he was asked to take on the role of parish pastor, which he did with dedication. However, in 2017, his superiors called upon him to take on a new role at the Generalate in Rome, where he now serves as the English Secretary.
In Rome, Fr. Maxwell has been tasked with overseeing correspondence for the General Council and assisting with translations. “I’ve come to appreciate how well-structured and organized our Society is,” he says, noting how this experience has deepened his love for the congregation.
However, after his first year in Rome, Fr. Maxwell realized that he could still pursue his dream of becoming an educator while balancing his responsibilities. He decided to study philosophy again—his first love—and asked permission to pursue a licentiate in philosophy, with a focus on peace and justice.
This summer, Fr. Maxwell took a break from his duties to serve as an intern with VIVAT International, an NGO that advocates for marginalized communities at the United Nations.
He even had the opportunity to speak at a UN session on sustainable development in Africa. “It’s always been clear to me that God’s hand has been guiding me,” he reflects. “When I trust in Him, things have a way of working out.”
Fr. Maxwell’s journey shows that faith, patience, and openness to God’s calling can lead to unexpected and fulfilling paths. Whether in Chile, Congo, or Rome, he remains committed to living out his vocation as a Divine Word Missionary—a life of service, education, and faith.
This story was adapted from a piece first published on www.svdvocations.org
