As we celebrate the 41st World Day of Prayer for Vocations on May 2, I want to thank the dedicated and holy men and women who serve our east river diocese as priests, deacons, religious sisters and brothers. They help all of us find Christ in our lives in the midst of a hectic world.
They are priests, deacons, religious sisters and brothers because of the grace of vocation and the support they received from dedicated and holy parents. The example that others in priesthood and religious life offered to them is just one of the ways that God worked in their lives. As Saint Therese of Lisieux says, “God does not call those who are worthy, but those who he wants.”
Today it is up to you and me to invite other men and women to consider the priesthood and religious life. “Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Luke 10:2)
These words that Jesus addressed to the apostles show the attention that the good shepherd always paid to his sheep. He does everything so that they “may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)
After his resurrection, the Lord entrusted his disciples with the responsibility to continue his same mission so the Gospel would be proclaimed to men and women of all times.
This is the invitation Pope John Paul II extended at World Youth Day in Denver, Colorado, to the throngs of young people present. We must bring this same invitation to the young men and women of our day.
This year the Diocese of Sioux Falls has 26 men studying for the priesthood at college and graduate levels. In a few weeks we will ordain Deacons Justin Wachs and Thomas Fitzpatrick to the priesthood. We will ordain Robert Lacey and Dana Christensen to the transitional diaconate. These four men have generously responded to the invitation of Jesus to “follow me!” As they place themselves at the service of the kingdom and begin their ministry, we are invited to pray for them and support them through Christian friendship.
At the same time, each one of us is called to pray for vocations for the future. Despite the challenges of widespread secularization and materialism, we must ask God for the grace and blessing to overcome all obstacles so there will be future priests, deacons and religious.
Our diocesan vocation effort is under the direction of Father James Mason, supported by vocation directors representing our religious communities, and by the work of four Serra Clubs. In addition, many parishes have responded to my invitation to form parish vocation committees so that young people can hear the message of vocation and generously respond to serve Christ and his church.
I believe that any success which we have experienced in this diocese is due to the prayer, sacrifice and suffering of many people who pray each day for vocations. Over the last ten years, we have given out thousands of Rosary tapes and CDs for vocations. I hope that you pray with me every day that the Lord of the harvest will bless our diocese with a great increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life. I know great credit goes to the shut-ins, the elderly and the sick of our diocese who tirelessly pray for vocations. Please add your voice to theirs.
It is my desire that prayer for vocations be intensified in every parish.
I ask that each parish pray a vocation prayer at Mass every Sunday and each parish have a weekly Holy Hour asking God to bless that community with vocations to the priesthood and religious life. We should never fail to realize that the Eucharist must be at the center of all of our prayer initiatives. We know from examples around the world that devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, either through 24-hour adoration or special Eucharistic days, not only leads to an increase in vocations, but to a generosity found in the hearts of the people which expresses itself in service to those most in need.
I invite every parent to share with your children the way that God works in your life. Explain that you would be proud of them no matter what vocation they choose. Tell them that God calls each one of us to the priesthood, religious life, marriage or generous single life. Tell them you would be proud to have a son who is a priest or deacon. Tell them you would be proud to have a daughter who is either an active or contemplative sister. Tell them you would be proud to have a son who was a religious brother. Tell them you would be blessed to have a son or daughter in a holy marriage.
Each one of us must ask God to bless us in our own personal vocation and mission. We must pray that the witness which we give is strengthened and that we grow in holiness with God’s help.
We must ask God’s intercession so there will be good and holy priests to celebrate the Eucharist and to share the other sacraments of the church with our families. May the Holy Spirit move the minds and hearts of each person in our diocese so that thousands more join me in praying for vocations. Remember, we deserve the priests we pray for.
Let me close with a prayer:
“Son of God sent by the Father to the men and women of our time and in our east river diocese, we call upon you through Mary, your mother and ours; may the church of Sioux Falls not lack in vocations, especially those dedicated in a special way to your kingdom.
Jesus, our only Savior who died on the cross for us, we pray to you for our brothers and sisters who have answered ‘yes’ to your call to the priesthood, the permanent diaconate, and to consecrated life. May their lives be renewed day by day to becoming a living Gospel.
Merciful and holy Lord, raise up new and worthy vocations from the families of our diocese. May the Lord of the harvest bless us with many new vocations to serve the prairie and the whole world.
Assist those men and women that you have already called so they might follow you day by day. May they be generous in their response to your invitation to ‘follow me.’ May they find the support of family and friends on their journey to the cross and beyond.
We ask this, Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.”