Our Holy Father Pope Francis has called on the Church community to foster and nurture vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life. As reported in the media outlet, “Catholic News Agency”, in his message for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Pope Francis stated, “amid the variety of our charisms, we are called to listen to one another and to journey together in order to acknowledge them and to discern where the Spirit is leading us for the benefit of all. We can become for our world messengers and witnesses of Jesus’ dream of a single human family, united in God’s love and in the bond of charity, cooperation, and fraternity.”
As we reflect on these words of Pope Francis, in addition to praying for vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and religious life, at Saint Brigid, we also strive as a faith community to assist seminarians as they continue their training and formation.
This past year, we welcomed seminarian Juno Lee who joined us for a Pastoral Year of formation. Juno is currently studying for the Archdiocese of Atlanta at Saint Vincent de Paul Seminary in Florida. In addition to assisting at our liturgies including our Holy Week services, Juno has assisted in our Vacation Bible School, Confirmation conferences, and many of our Special Needs, and Youth activities. He also participated in various aspects of our adult faith formation programs.
Instead of being assigned a “summer seminarian” as in past years, we have been informed that Juno will remain with us throughout most of the summer, and then return to his seminary studies soon thereafter. Juno looks forward to continuing to interact with our Saint Brigid faith community, as he gains valuable pastoral experience.
As a faith community, we are encouraged to reflect on the following “Prayer for Vocations” provided by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:
Father, hear the prayers of your people,
and bring to maturity the seeds you have sown in the field of your Church.
May many of your people choose to serve you
by devoting themselves to the service
of their brothers and sisters.
Raise up worthy ministers for your altars
and ardent but gentle servants of the Gospel.
May those who follow in the footsteps of Christ your Son grow, and provide by their way of life
a convincing sign of your kingdom for the Church and the whole world.
May all the ministers of your Church increase in numbers, and persevering in their prayer,
perform their ministry with gentleness and concern for others.
Father, keep them all faithful to the call of the Gospel that the world may see in them
the living image of your Son, Jesus Christ,
who is Lord for ever and ever. Amen.
As we reflect on this prayer, we are invited to pray for Juno and all those discerning vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, or religious life as they continue on their journey of faith.