Another Vocations Awareness Weekend has come and gone and this time around the bar was definitely raised by the guests. Out of the 70 young men who attended the weekend, all of them gave their hearts to really consider the discernment of the priesthood of Jesus Christ.

On Friday evening, the guests arrived to the seminary. At about 11:00 p.m. we all gathered in the main chapel for a welcoming/blessing ceremony with a modified version of Night Prayer. Saturday was packed with all kinds of different activities. On Saturday morning, the guests watched a very…interesting movie created by the Dean of Students/Vice Rector of the seminary. Following the movie presentation, the guests listened to several seminarians describe the four pillars of formation as prescribed by the Program of Priestly Formation (PPF). The seminarians added a personal touch to the pillars to make them more real for the guests.

On Saturday evening, several seminarians were asked to lead small group sessions where the guests could ask any questions about seminary life, the process of discernment in our own lives, etc. During the small group sessions, I experienced the willingness of these young men to open their hearts. Compared to the last VAW in November, the conversation that took place in these small groups was much deeper and more geared towards discernment.

Following the small group sessions, the priests, seminarians, and guests participated in the Stations of the Cross. The guests were asked to carry the cross from one station to the next. It was a very powerful experience for all of us. Following the Stations of the Cross, we re-entered the chapel to find a statue of the corpse of Jesus on the altar. That always seems to take my breath away–it was very powerful.

On Sunday morning, the guests came together with the Vocations Director and seminarians from their diocese to talk about the weekend more in depth. During the Orlando meeting, the seminarians shared a bit of advice to the guests. I simply reminded the guests to be open to whatever the Lord is asking them to do with their lives. I also shared with them that, when I was discerning entering the seminary, I would sit in front of the Blessed Sacrament and simply listen to the Lord. The weekend came to a close with the celebration of the Eucharist in St. Raphael’s Chapel immediately after the meetings.

Over this past week, we have all heard about the news of priest sexual abuse scandals in the Church in Europe, most especially in Germany. Even amongst all of that negative news that is being directed towards the Church, we still have young men who are discerning giving their lives for the spreading of the Gospel. Now, more than ever, we need men–healthy men–who have a desire to love, serve, and inspire others. Now, more than ever, we need men who want to serve the church, who are tired of society telling us to turn away from the love of God. The men that came on the weekend, even as young as they may be, get it! They understand that there is more to life than what society portrays; there is more to life than material things; there is more to life than becoming rich, famous, and powerful. Ultimately, God calls all of us, men and women, to follow him and spread his Gospel message. No matter what we are called to in life, we must remember that Jesus Christ came down to this earth, dwelt among us, and died for the salvation of all.

I know that all of you have prayed that the Lord will send shepherds to guide His Church. Continue to pray for an increase in vocations to the Church because the Lord is answering them. There is hope!!!

Pax.