WILL YOU ANSWER GOD’S CALL?
A vocation is a calling from God. He has chosen each of us to love the world in a particular way–through a particular state in life. Some of us are called to a closer union and imitation of Jesus Christ as priests. In his message for World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Pope John Paul II declared, "A priest is called, in fact, to act in persona Christi, and so re-live the same condition of Jesus at the Last Supper, being willing, like Jesus, to love until the end, even to the giving of his life." Others are called to the consecrated religious life, living out their vocation through obedience to a professed religious community. Others are called to the single state as consecrated lay workingin the service of the Church through apostolates, movements, or through the service to others in some form. There are those who are single in order to care for family members, to give themselves more completely to a profession, or to serve other honorable ends. Still others are called to themarriage covenant, through which the love between spouses for their children and each other is how God has called them to love the world. Whatever the state to which we are called, the Church is clear in explaining that one state is not better or more holy than the other. Each state is vitalto the growth of the Church and each is interdependent on the other. Each depends on the other to such a degree that together we answer the call from God as a Church.
Come! Follow Me... By: Msgr. Bernard E. Witkowski
There is a little prayer I say everyday that sums up exactly how I feel about my call to the priesthood.
You made me a Priest, Lord.
It was your idea, after all.
And it was kind of you
To pretend that you needed me.
I would never claim to have been God’s best choice. I would never claim that I am worthy to share in His Holy Priesthood. Who am I that I should have the privilege of standing at the altar in Christ’s place and pronouncing the words of consecration that transform bread and wine into His Body and Blood? Who am I that I should forgive sins in His Name?
All of us who have responded to Christ’s call know that our only claim to fame is the fact that we had the courage to answer the call. But our vocations was His idea, after all. Despite our weaknesses and sinfulness, we come to realize very quickly that in calling us Christ was not looking for a magic wand to carry out His work, but simply a hammer and chisel to slowly fulfill his will.
In our day, unfortunately, there is a serious decline in the number of young men entering the seminary to prepare for the Priesthood. There are reasons for this, of course. But one fact remains constant, and that is that Christ is still calling young men as often as he always did. Priests are needed more today than ever. But obviously, young men are not answering the call. Parents are not encouraging their sons to enter the seminary.
This May, for example, there will be only four young men from one million, four hundred thousand Catholics in the Archdiocese. Something is wrong. More young men have to hear the call. Pray that this happens.
St. Charles Seminary: Discernment Nights and Retreats
Overbrook Weekend Retreats
These weekends are most helpful for those young men, ages 16 to 40, who are discerning a vocation to the diocesan priesthood and would like some more information about seminary life, prayer, and how to continue the discernment process. The retreats will be held at Saint Charles Seminary beginning with dinner at 5:15 PM on Friday and ending 12 Noon on Sunday. There will be conferences, panel discussions, quiet time, free time for gym or pool, and participation in the community prayer of the seminary.
Saint Charles Overnights
These overnights give the young man, age 16 to 40, the opportunity to join the seminarians of Saint Charles when they are having one of their periodic Days of Recollection. The participants will join the seminarians for conferences and for liturgical and communal prayer. These overnights will also afford some time for private prayer, Eucharistic Adoration, and quiet reflection as well as group discussions with other participants, priests and seminarians from Saint Charles.
Spend a Day at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary
Learn firsthand about the life of a seminarian and also learn about the life of a priest with this overnight visit to Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. The purpose of this program is to give young men, ages 16 to 40, the opportunity to experience a typical day in the life of a seminarian.
For more information and to register for all programs, contact: Fr. Kevin J. Gallagher,Vocation Director for Diocesan Priesthood, he will be glad to provide further information and register you by phone at the Vocation Office: (610) 667-5778.
Please make it a point to visit the website, www.HeedTheCall.org for more detailed pastoral and liturgical information about Vocations.