A Call to Encourage Vocations
By Bishop Paul S. Loverde
Herald Columnist
(From the issue of 1/4/07)
This evening, I will meet with diocesan seminarians who
are on retreat for several days this week. Prospective seminarians will
join us for dinner and prayer. This gathering occurs shortly before the
start of National Vocations Awareness Week, Jan. 7-12. This annual week
is a fitting time to reflect upon the gift of our own vocation, and on
how we might more prayerfully foster the discernment of God’s call
in the lives of those around us.
We are truly blessed in the Diocese of Arlington to have 23 men currently
in the seminary, and about 18 men and 33 women in formation for consecrated
life. During the year, I have the opportunity to meet with these groups
and others in discernment through retreats, day trips, service projects
and other diocesan events. Indeed, we are a growing diocese, and there
is a need to serve our increasing Catholic and multicultural population,
which now numbers over 400,000 registered Catholics. Since this multicultural
aspect is becoming more dominant within our diocese, I am asking our seminarians
to become more aware of the various ethnic groups and to understand more
realistically how their future ministry will serve them.
A Gift
A vocation — whether to the married, single, priestly or consecrated
life — is truly a gift from God, and His personal call to each of
us. Some are called to join their life with another through the holy sacrament
of matrimony. Still others are called to living a single chaste life committed
to God. Finally, there is God’s call to the priesthood or consecrated
life.
Vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life are calls from the Lord
to dedicate one’s life in service to God and His Church. Each of
us plays a vital role in helping others to discern these vocations. For
example, students attending Catholic schools or parish CCD programs, and
those participating in youth ministry and campus ministry, often begin
discerning a vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life through these
experiences. God truly works through others to help those hear His call.
That is why each of us should be involved in cultivating a climate for
vocations.
Encourage
Our future priests and consecrated religious may be living right beside
you — they may be your sons, daughters, neighbors and friends. It
is our responsibility, by virtue of our baptism, to encourage and foster
vocations in our families and communities. Perhaps you have met someone
that you think may have such a vocation — I ask you to pray for
them and invite them to consider a vocation to the priesthood or consecrated
life. Often those who feel a call to the priesthood or consecrated life
begin seriously discerning this call after receiving encouragement and
support from members of their families and communities. We must ask ourselves
if we are truly doing all that we can to encourage vocations in our families,
schools, organizations, and churches. In my own life, I remember that
the encouragement of my family and parish community were so very instrumental
in considering my call to the priesthood.
Pray
This weekend, many of you will have an opportunity to hear our seminarians
speak in parishes around the diocese. I encourage you to pray for them
as they continue discerning their vocations, and for others discerning
their calls as well.
I encourage you to pray our diocese’s Vocation Prayer:
Heavenly Father, bless our diocese with the grace of many vocations to
the priesthood, diaconate and religious life. Through the intercession
of the Blessed Mother, grant to those You have called the willingness
and generosity of spirit to give of themselves in devoting their lives
and their talents to the service of our Lord and to His Church. Increase
the faith of all within our diocese, and particularly the faith of those
You have called and will continue to call. We ask this through Christ
Your Son. Amen.
May we live with fidelity the vocation we have been given! Pray daily
for vocations for the future well-being of this diocesan church! Remember:
the answer to tomorrow’s need for sufficient priests, permanent
deacons, and consecrated religious begins today in prayer!
All are welcome to attend the Diocesan Holy
Hour for Vocations during National Vocations Awareness Week at 7:30 p.m.
on Jan. 11 at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More
Copyright (c) 2007 Arlington Catholic
Herald
