S.O.S.
As I previously posted, I was able to spend last travel weekend with my best friend Eric in Bologna, and then before returning to Rome on Sunday night, I stopped in Florence to meet up with some of the people I know from Eric's parish. I am continually humbled by the encouragement and support that I receive from people who know I am studying for the Catholic priesthood.
Last year at St. John's Seminary, we had a glass canister in the reception area with our version of the "LiveSTRONG" rubber bracelets--they were black with white writing, with the SJS shield and the phrase "S.O.S. Support our Seminarians".
Over the past two and a half years in seminary, I have been beyond blessed with the support I have received---from my family, my friends, my former co-workers, the former teens of both Stoughton and Bridgewater Life Teen's, my home parish, and faithful Catholics whom I came to know only because I am in priestly formation, among others.
Every now and again when Skyping with my mom, she will say that so-and-so wants to know how they can support me, or I'll receive an email from someone back home asking what they can do to support me and my brother seminarians, or someone will send me a card in the mail letting me know not to hesitate telling them if I need anything, etc.
Whether you know a seminarian or not (which, if you're reading my blog, presumably you know at least one seminarian!!)---"Vocations are everyone's business" (As my Archbishop and Vocations Director frequently say)...and so...I've decided to give a few suggestions for those who are looking for ways to support seminarians...
1. PRAY for him!
Like life in general, seminary life can be demanding, hectic, stressful and challenging. Offer up a daily prayer for seminarians (and the priests who form us!) for our health, holiness, purity, and that we may properly discern what the Lord wants for us. Pray a Rosary, a Divine Mercy Chaplet, make a Holy Hour, pray for us at daily Mass, perform an act of fasting...all the prayers we receive really make a difference! (AND it unites us as members of the Body of Christ!)
2. ADOPT a seminarian!
Go to your diocesan vocations website, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you choose a seminarian to "adopt"! Then see suggestion #1! {If your parish has a seminarian, adopt him!}
As an aside, I have been adopted by a member of the OCDS (Secular order of Discalced Carmelites, or in Latin "Ordo Carmelitarum Discalceatorum Saecularis"). He has promised to pray for me daily during my entire seminary formation, encourages me often on Facebook, sends a card on my birthday and Christmas and, if I am called to ordination, he will be present for my ordination and First Mass!
3. COMMUNICATE with him!
Do you teach Religious Education? (Or maybe you're a Catholic school teacher?) Have your Religious Ed class make cards for seminarians around the Holidays (Christmas/Easter), or for his birthday, or just random "we're praying for you!" cards...
Maybe you don't teach RelEd, rather you are a faithful Catholic who wants to support future priests?---Communicate with a seminarian through social media, or "snail mail" (let's face it...people still love getting things in the mail, that aren't bills!) Find out where the seminarian you've adopted (#2) and regularly pray for (#1) studies/when his birthday is and send a card!
4. ENCOURAGE others to do the same!
Because..."vocations are everyone's business"!!
If one person adopts a seminarian, and encourages a friend to do the same, then that friend encourages one of their friends, and so forth and so on...it becomes a domino effect. Prayer is efficacious and unites us more as members of the Body of Christ.
For those of you reading who already do these things---THANK YOU!!!! Your support of priestly vocations is invaluable, and those on the receiving end are grateful for your encouragement, prayers and love!
Until next time...Praised be Jesus Christ...
--kpl
Last year at St. John's Seminary, we had a glass canister in the reception area with our version of the "LiveSTRONG" rubber bracelets--they were black with white writing, with the SJS shield and the phrase "S.O.S. Support our Seminarians".
Over the past two and a half years in seminary, I have been beyond blessed with the support I have received---from my family, my friends, my former co-workers, the former teens of both Stoughton and Bridgewater Life Teen's, my home parish, and faithful Catholics whom I came to know only because I am in priestly formation, among others.
Every now and again when Skyping with my mom, she will say that so-and-so wants to know how they can support me, or I'll receive an email from someone back home asking what they can do to support me and my brother seminarians, or someone will send me a card in the mail letting me know not to hesitate telling them if I need anything, etc.
Whether you know a seminarian or not (which, if you're reading my blog, presumably you know at least one seminarian!!)---"Vocations are everyone's business" (As my Archbishop and Vocations Director frequently say)...and so...I've decided to give a few suggestions for those who are looking for ways to support seminarians...
1. PRAY for him!
Like life in general, seminary life can be demanding, hectic, stressful and challenging. Offer up a daily prayer for seminarians (and the priests who form us!) for our health, holiness, purity, and that we may properly discern what the Lord wants for us. Pray a Rosary, a Divine Mercy Chaplet, make a Holy Hour, pray for us at daily Mass, perform an act of fasting...all the prayers we receive really make a difference! (AND it unites us as members of the Body of Christ!)
2. ADOPT a seminarian!
Go to your diocesan vocations website, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you choose a seminarian to "adopt"! Then see suggestion #1! {If your parish has a seminarian, adopt him!}
As an aside, I have been adopted by a member of the OCDS (Secular order of Discalced Carmelites, or in Latin "Ordo Carmelitarum Discalceatorum Saecularis"). He has promised to pray for me daily during my entire seminary formation, encourages me often on Facebook, sends a card on my birthday and Christmas and, if I am called to ordination, he will be present for my ordination and First Mass!
3. COMMUNICATE with him!
Do you teach Religious Education? (Or maybe you're a Catholic school teacher?) Have your Religious Ed class make cards for seminarians around the Holidays (Christmas/Easter), or for his birthday, or just random "we're praying for you!" cards...
Maybe you don't teach RelEd, rather you are a faithful Catholic who wants to support future priests?---Communicate with a seminarian through social media, or "snail mail" (let's face it...people still love getting things in the mail, that aren't bills!) Find out where the seminarian you've adopted (#2) and regularly pray for (#1) studies/when his birthday is and send a card!
4. ENCOURAGE others to do the same!
Because..."vocations are everyone's business"!!
If one person adopts a seminarian, and encourages a friend to do the same, then that friend encourages one of their friends, and so forth and so on...it becomes a domino effect. Prayer is efficacious and unites us more as members of the Body of Christ.
For those of you reading who already do these things---THANK YOU!!!! Your support of priestly vocations is invaluable, and those on the receiving end are grateful for your encouragement, prayers and love!
Until next time...Praised be Jesus Christ...
--kpl
Comments
Post a Comment