By Bishop David Ricken | On Mission
When I introduced the diocesan goal to call forth and form 30 seminarians to be missionary leaders in the priesthood by 2025, I also leaned into the spiritual direction of Blessed Solanus Casey to “Thank God ahead of time!”
Beginning in about 2020, whenever I leave the diocesan campus and travel south towards Hwy. 172, I always use Webster Avenue. And when I return north to the campus, I do the same. Why do I do this, you might ask? Well, to pray in advance for that goal of 30 seminarians. And the prayers are beginning to pay off.
You see, just south of the diocese on Webster Avenue, on the campus of St. Matthew Parish, stands the Holy Name of Jesus House of Formation. In this house, there are 10 rooms where faithful young men discerning their vocation to the priesthood can come to spend a formative year in community with others.
These young men remove themselves from digital media during that year. Yes, that means no cellphones, and they live a life of prayer, education and service. When I drive past this special place, I make 10 signs of the cross over the house, asking the Lord to fill those 10 rooms with good and faithful young men.
If I am traveling with someone who is not familiar with this practice, it can be a little jarring the first time they see it. If they are driving a little too fast, I say, “Slow down, slow down. I need to make my 10 signs of the cross. We need to fill the Kairos house.”
I have been told by some of these traveling companions that I should share this practice with you, and let you know that it is working. My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, the rooms are filling up.
Beginning on Aug. 26, we will have eight young men in the house who have signed on for the Kairo Year of discernment. And, with 16 young men already in seminary, that gives us a total of 24, getting us much closer to meeting that goal of 30 seminarians. I thank all of you who already pray for vocations yourself. The Lord is answering our prayers.
We are also praying for an increase in the number of young people who answer the call of God to the consecrated life. If you would like to get started in this movement to call young men and women to vocations in our diocese, you can start with three simple prayers. Saying an “Our Father,” a “Hail Mary” and a “Glory Be” during your daily prayer time is a great start. Pray for the perseverance of these young men and women who are discerning vocations and for all those in seminary and religious formation.
For those of you looking for something a little more involved, consider joining the Fiat Prayer Society. What is asked of you as a member is as follows:
1. Pray daily for more young people to say “yes” to the vocations of the priesthood and religious life, using the “Daily Prayer for Vocations.”
2. Pray daily for an outpouring of grace upon the priests and religious serving in our diocese, using the “Daily Prayer for Our Priests & Religious.”
3. Pray for our men in priestly formation by offering a weekly Rosary or Holy Hour.
4. Offer your Holy Communion on the first Sunday of every month for an outpouring of priestly and religious vocations to our diocese.
5. Offer a share in any sufferings you may experience for more young people to say “yes” to the vocations of the priesthood and religious life in our diocese and for an increase in zeal, fervor and grace for our bishop, priests, deacons and the religious men and women serving in our diocese.
Each of us lifting our prayers to the Lord for vocations in our diocese is powerful. If something is not supported through the prayers of the faithful, it has little to no hope of bearing fruit. I thank God ahead of time for you and your prayers for our young people’s answer of “YES.”
