The call continues to be answered

Submitted on January 13, 2005

Send to friendIn the midst of crisis several years ago, certain pundits from within and without the Church proclaimed its demise and the death of the priesthood. The conventional wisdom asserted that no one would willingly choose a life of celibacy and obedience along with poverty and simplicity in an institution that appeared corrupt. How wrong they were! The institution, neither corrupt then nor now, continues to thrive. And the young men we were told would not come forward have indeed embraced the priesthood with joy and confidence. Young women have responded generously to the consecrated religious life, flaunting conventional wisdom and confounding the critics. Unfortunately, the young people who are responding and those who are waiting to be called will be confronted with skepticism and derision by the larger society and even by some segments of the Church.Some parents will be reluctant to encourage their children to pursue such a difficult life. Yet it is clear from the young men in our seminaries and houses of formation and the young women in formation for consecrated religious life that they will not be deterred from responding to God’s call. A vocation to the priesthood or to religious life is just that — a call from God to unique and particular service rendered in a life of poverty, chastity and obedience.Since ours is a sophisticated world, one may be confident that those who choose to follow the Lord’s will fully understand what they are undertaking. Armed with this knowledge, aware of scandal, and confronted with societal obstacles, young people still undertake these lives of sacrifice and service.They choose to be manifestations of hope following in the footsteps of the author of hope — Christ our King. The Church’s response needs to be supportive and encouraging.Pastors, parents and teachers must speak eloquently about the great gift that is a vocation to the priesthood and religious life.Moreover, those of us lacking courage or finding ourselves discouraged must be open to the encouragement and courageousness of these bold men and women. In small, yet powerful ways not only will the Church continue to confuse the conventional wisdom and confound the pundits, but she will also foster a climate that is receptive to the gifts these men and women bring to the Church and to the world. One ot these gifts is a living and vibrant hope rooted in love for Christ and His Church! As we conclude the annual awareness week for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated religious life, we must remember that fostering vocations is an ongoing process, something for all Catholics to be continuously part of — through our prayers and our actions.