Spring of Vocations 2010

Since January we have celebrated the vocations of Marriage, Consecrated Life, the Diaconate and Priesthood. The anniversaries just happen to coincide with Valentine's being a Sunday and the ordinations of Deacon Bill Fitzpatrick and Father Chris Ballard; thus the Spring of Vocations arose for us to learn, pray and celebrate the occasions.

I am of the mindset that all vocations derive from marriage. The Holy Family is the model for nurturing what is entrusted to us. Joseph and Mary emulated the love of God in the way they loved one another, and more importantly the child Jesus. We can say this due to how they followed the will of God in their response to their call to service. Mary responded to the angel Gabriel; Joseph took the expectant Mother into his home. Jesus is love; God's love and the love of Mary and Joseph. This is the love we are called to share in and share with one another.

Therefore, twenty-five years of priesthood is worth celebrating for it is twenty-five years of making the love of God known to us. Fifty years of marriage or more is an example of God's patience, mercy and unconditional love. Seventy-five years of professed vows, besides endurance, is a model of commitment regardless of ever changing times. These are the examples that would lead two men to promise obedience and prayer.

The celebrations have been wonderful. However, did it stimulate the thought towards discernment process of what is God's call in my life? That will still remain to be seen. What we can do in the meantime is pray, encourage our young and be true to our baptismal call.