What is a seminarian? We may call them priests-in-training, but many of our seminarians are young men on a faith journey that includes choosing to make a sacrifice for God; and not only for God but for the Church, we who are the People of God. Perhaps you may see seminarians more often, during this time of year, for the annual Seminarian Collection. While it is good and necessary to donate for the education of our seminarians, there are three things one can do that will have an even greater affect on the life of a seminarian, and hopefully a future priest!
The first is making seminarians feel welcome into the community wherever they may be assigned. It is so wonderful to have a seminarian assigned to a parish community and welcoming such a man into your parish family will encourage his vocation. If you don’t have a seminarian from your parish or assigned to your parish, why not adopt a seminarian?
The second thing we can do to encourage vocations is to view our priests as part of our families. When we invite the priest into our home we invite Christ, who knocks at the door and awaits our welcome. We should see the priest as in persona Christi or Christ living among us.
Thirdly, we must pray for vocations, not only for the whole Church but we should pray for the young women and men whom we know who are contemplating a vocation to religious life. It is important to encourage women and men in our own families and among our circle of friends to pursue the life which God is calling them. We should not be afraid to listen to our children’s yearning to live a life devoted to Christ for the glory of God. Parents should support their children to pursue such a vocation, even if it be their only son or daughter; for this life is fleeting, and we should not hold on to what is on earth, rather we should cast our eyes upon what is above.
We have so many righteous and holy men and women in our diocese who are pursuing a vocation in service to God and Church. It is our obligation as members of the Body of Christ to assist those who live as the Heart of Christ among us. Pray fervently then, that the Light of Christ may continue to brighten the souls of those who follow Him on this earth for the benefit of us all.
