WORD ALIVE
Tomorrow is Good Shepherd Sunday. It is a day in the Catholic Church worldwide to focus attention on the religious vocations of priests, nuns and lay brothers, and to pray for more vocations.
The need for priests and religious cannot be stressed enough. We need spiritual shepherds to take care of the flock of the Lord. Without ordained ministers, we cannot avail of the sacraments, especially baptism, the Eucharist, confession, and dispense their graces.
Every year thousands graduate from various courses in the country. While there’s an oversupply in these courses, there is an undersupply of seminary graduates.
When I entered the seminary years ago, we were seven in high school special class. Little by little, our rank dwindled until I was the only one left. Being the sole survivor, I joked that I was the valedictorian of our batch.
* * *
Choosing the religious life is not easy. The long formation years and living a celibate life makes it a “less traveled road.”
You may have a strong desire but if you are deemed unsuitable due to moral character, parental problem, or poor health, then you have to accept God’s will. It’s not shameful to drop out during the formative years.
* * *
A Frenchman Louis Martin wanted to become a priest but he eventually left the seminary due to a lung problem. Outside he got a job and at long last he got married to Celia Guerin who also wanted to become a nun then but didn’t make it. Their wedlock resulted in having 10 children. (There was no family planning then!).
Four of the girls became Carmelite nuns. One of them, Therese, turned out a great saint, a doctor of the Catholic Church, and the “millennium saint.” If Louis Martin became a priest, he would not have sired one of the Church’s greatest saints. God works in mysterious ways.
* * *
Be open to the possibility of a religious vocation. Consult your parish priest or a vocation director, and ask God to help you make the right decision.
Parents can show their love for God by supporting and encouraging their children who have the desire. The truth is, it is God who manifests his love for parents when He chooses one of their children to serve Him.
If parents are generous in offering their children to religious life, God who’s never outdone in generosity will certainly reward them now and in the next life.
And let’s remember: Being generous to God’s call is a real test of one’s faith in Him.
* * *
Laugh one another. One weekend, a doctor, a priest and a politician were out in a fishing boat. Their motor had broken down and one of the oars (sagwan) had drifted off. Just as the doctor was about to dive in to retrieve the oar, the boat was surrounded by crocodiles.
“I can’t go now,” the doctor said. If someone gets bitten, you’ll need my services.”
“I can’t go either,” said the priest. “If the doctor fails, I’ll need to give the last rites.” “Fine,” said the politician. “I’ll get it.” He dived in, the crocodiles moved, and he retrieved the oar and climbed back into the boat.
The doctor and priest couldn’t believe what they saw; they exclaimed, “Why did those crocodiles not attack you?” The politician just smiled and said, “Professional courtesy.”
* * *
Appeal: A benefactor to our seminarians once said: “My sons have no vocation to the priesthood so I might as well help others become priests.” How inspiring!
* * *
Seminarians are future priests and missionaries. We cannot have them if we don’t support them. ([email protected])