20100125 神品聖召 Priestly Vocation
January 22 was the 46th anniversary of the death of Monsignor Louis Forget. During his time as pastor of St. Patrick’s, Monsignor Forget inspired many young men to the holy priesthood. Vocation is a great gift from God that need to be nurtured and fostered. The Church commemorates St. John Bosco on January 31, who was an ardent promoter of priestly vocations.
Signs of Priestly Vocation
St. John Bosco once pointed out to a young man the three signs of a priestly vocation:
The first sign is moral goodness. St. John Bosco saw the keeping of the Commandments regarding the virtue of chastity as the fundamental requirement of moral goodness. St. John Bosco pointed out that confessor is the best judge about a person’s moral goodness. \
The second sign is sufficient intellectual ability. St. John Bosco pointed out that it is the task of ecclesiastical superiors to judge the intellectual ability of aspirants to the priesthood through examinations.
The third sign is clerical spirit. Clerical spirit is the inclination and interest to participate the liturgical ceremonies of the Church. Clerical spirit also includes the strong desire for the clerical state, and the preference of the clerical state over all other positions in society.
Means to Foster Priestly Vocation
In 1876 during a meeting with the rectors of the Salesian order, St. John Bosco proposed some simple but effective means to foster priestly vocation: First, encourage young people to receive the Sacraments frequently. Second, treat young people with great love. Third, show great confidence to those young men who are more mature and have attraction to the priesthood by entrusting some tasks to them. Fourth, give good example by celebrating liturgical rites with great reverence. Fifth, encourage young people to do altar serving. Sixth, show young people personal care: chat with them, listen to them, and encourage them to share their own stories.
Discerning a Vocation
To discern a vocation, we must turn to God, submit to others, and be honest with oneself.
We must turn to God in prayer. Vocation is a gift from God. To discern this gift, we must be willing to listen to God. Prayer helps us to open our heart to God and to be docile to His inspirations. Prayer also helps us to achieve that clarity of mind which enables us to judge things according to the light of faith. Making retreats and daily meditations are effective means to discover the will of God for us.
We must submit to others. When discerning a vocation, the proper authority of the Church make judgment regarding the suitability of the aspirants to the priesthood. During the period of priestly formation the roles of spiritual director and confessor are very crucial in judging the moral goodness and the proper intention of the candidate.
We must be honest with oneself. Following the will of God brings us a profound sense of peace. Acting contrary to God’s will brings us a sense of uneasiness and emptiness. An aspirants must ask himself honestly what is his intention in becoming a priest. St. John Bosco encouraged young men who were discerning vocation to imagine oneself to be at the point of death, and to reflect one’s decision in the light of eternity.
Like St. John Bosco and Monsignor Forget, may we priests continue to inspire many young men to the dignity of Holy Orders.