YOU CAN

No one is born as priest. "The pastoral care of vocations needs to involve the entire Christian Community in every area of its life.  Obviously, this pastoral work on all levels also includes exploring the matter with families, which are often indifferent or even opposed to the idea of a priestly vocation.  Families should generously embrace the gift of life and bring up their children to be open to doing God's will.  In a word, they must have the courage to set before young people the radical decision to follow Christ, showing them how deeply rewarding it is." (Pope Benedict XVI, Sacramentum Caritatis, 25)

Today, 15 December 2010, during the Holy Eucharist, Fr. Luigi Kerschbamer was sharing an inspiring Vocation Story which is true and much needed for todays society which is plunging away into a Godless state of life.

Once there was a young boy.  Like any other youngster he also was enjoying life.  But in the course of his life he got converted became a priest and later on became a bishop.  When he was a Bishop, he was visiting the Religious houses in his Diocese.  One day he went to a particular Religious sisters' convent.  He offered the Holy Eucharist for the sisters.  As he was distributing Holy Communion he saw an old sister coming at last to receive the Holy Communion.  When he saw that sister, it looked for him that he has seen her somewhere and looks very familiar face.  Immediately after the Holy Mass he asked the Superior of the House that he wants to meet the sisters.  It was arranged.  But when he went to address the sisters he could not find that particular sister which looked like familiar face to him. He asked the superior sister whether all the sisters are present.  The superior told no that one elderly sister is always busy in taking care of the animals in the cattle.  The bishop said that he wants to meet that sister.

When they were talking the bishop inquired about her work there.  And sister explained that previously she was a dancer in a disco club, but when she was touched by Jesus got converted and became a nun, from that time onwards as she was taking care of the cattle, she always praying for the vocations, especially for the youth who are caught up in the worldly allurements.  It was then the bishop remembered the place where he saw that sister. As usual, one day, he went to the disco club.  When he was singing, dancing and enjoying the life, the face of this sister flashed in his mind.  That was the moment of his conversion.  He got converted; changed his life, became priest and became a bishop.

Nobody is born as priest or religious.  Everybody can not become priest or religious.  But Everyone (YOU) CAN PRAY for the priestly and religious vocations.  You can share the blessings of priestly and religious anointing by praying for more vocations.  A sincere prayer for vocation will never go in vain.  Would you like to pray with me now for vocations?

LET US PRAY
We turn to you, Mother of the Church. Through your "fiat," you have opened the door which makes Christ present in the world, in history, and in individual lives. In humble silence and in total availability, you welcomed the call of the Most High. May there be many men and women in our day who respond to your Son's invitation, "Follow me!" Grant them courage to leave family, work, and earthly hope to follow Christ along the road that He walked. Mary, Queen of Apostles, pray for us and for an increase of priestly and religious vocations. Amen.


May the Queen of the Apostles, the Mother of the Church who trained her son into the Ministry of God inspire our young souls to become FISHERS OF MEN.