Do not be afraid - Vocations Sunday

With Vocations Sunday coming up in April there will undoubtedly be plenty of articles, stories, etc concerning a need for an increase in vocations to Priesthood and Religious life. Especially with us being in the Year of the Priest, April should be a great time to pray for an increase in vocations and actively encourage anyone who is considering taking that leap. For this year I've written an article that will appear in The Catholic Voice of Lancaster encouraging young men to be brave and consider whether they are being called, even though it seems like a huge commitment that they struggle to endear to. I've included it below:




“Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I give you strength, truly I help you.” (Isaiah 41:10)


The image of the apostles in the upper room cowering, afraid and unsure as to what they must now do, is one of great relevance for so many young men today. So also is the culmination of this event – when flames of fire came upon them, the Holy Spirit dwelled within them and they had the courage to go out as witnesses to Christ. That step which the apostles took doesn’t seem to be quite as straightforward to those whom the Lord calls forth in this day and age. There seems to be no straightforward answer as to why: so many people pray unceasingly for an increase in vocations to the Priesthood; vocations promoters, directors and so many other individuals are fervent in their encouragement to young men. However, great comfort should be taken from Jesus’ promise to always provide shepherds for his flock.

Many times throughout His ministry Jesus had to reassure His own disciples, “Do not be afraid”, they often lacked the faith and conviction to wholeheartedly enter into the mission Jesus had for them. Peter was often the worst offender “Peter took fright and began to sink,”(Matthew 14:22-23), yet we know that he was successfully entrusted with being the rock which the Church was build upon. If the very first disciples of Christ, who were there and saw all he did and said, were afraid to follow their vocation in life, it is no wonder many men 2000 years on can struggle to embrace their vocation from God. However, just as the disciples were strengthened when they most needed the love and guidance of Christ, so are those called to Priesthood – the Spirit is already directing their “whole being,spirit, soul and body”, and it is only through discernment that they will come to see whether or not they are being called to a Priestly Vocation.

Seminary formation is designed to bring you closer to God, to help you hear and understand the plan he has for your life. Many people are scared or worried about committing themselves, however the discernment process puts no pressure upon young men, more so it is tailored to help the individual work out whether Priesthood is what God is asking of them. The Holy Father speaks of these years as:

“a time of journeying, of exploration, but above all of discovering Christ. It is only when a young man has had a personal experience of Christ that he can truly understand the Lord’s will and consequently his own vocation. The better you know Jesus, the more His mystery attracts you.”

Seminaries are abundant with people from all walks of life, all with their own personal vocation stories. Many will come to realise in the first couple of years that this isn’t their vocation in life, whilst others enter formation unsure or without much confidence and soon become aware that they are being pointed in the direction of ordination. “Taste and see that the Lord is good, How blessed are those who take refuge in him” (Psalm 34:8)

One of the greater barriers that many put up in front of themselves revolves around issues of unworthiness and ability. The late Cardinal Basil Hume described it as “a dismaying gap between what we know ourselves to be and what the priesthood demands of us.” Such demands upon our human nature such as celibacy, confidence in authoritative public speaking, interpersonal skills and a comprehensive knowledge of the faith are all dealt with and encouraged throughout training for each person as an individual. When we think back to Pentecost, we can see there that the Holy Spirit will always be with us to guide and protect us. If you do feel there is a possibility that God is calling you to priesthood, open up your heart and pray for the Lord to give you strength, encouragement and direction in your life.

“God’s chosen instrument may well have many personal failings; the chief requirement however is a willingness to let God work through us.” (Cardinal Basil Hume)