“You guys are the Church of tomorrow.
Us old folks are dying, and it’s up to you to lead the flock.”
I didn’t think I’d hear something this profound today during the hour of confession before Saturday Mass at St. Luke’s today. But I guess, it would behoove me to expect that even something so mundane as going to confession can be a profound event in anyone’s life.
When I related to an older parishioner that in three days, I’d be leaving for Indiana to meet all the guys from the Old College Undergraduate Seminary program at the University of Notre Dame, she smiled and said those words to me. I’ve been pretty excited and nervous about the transition to college, a veritable bottle of mixed feelings and doubts. Somehow, however, I’m more inspired to go to Indiana.
After all, I’m not just going off to get a degree or two. I’m leaving for Old College to explore my vocation. It’s something I’ve been looking forward to for the past four years. Leaving my family and friends here in Stockton is now a concrete step forward in my process of discernment.
Enough dreaming. Enough wondering. It’s time to get serious and figure things out via prayer, service, and let’s face it, more prayer.
I don’t think it’s anyone’s intention to change the world when going off to college. But in reality, something as big as leaving for a university or as small as going to the grocery store should be treated as an invitation to spread the Gospel, to spread the love of Christ to all men and women, to sanctify our daily life.
Now more than ever, we need to start praying for more men and women to take up the call and discern a vocation to the priesthood or to religious life. Please pray for an increase in vocations. Even a small prayer like “God, please grant the Church more good priests and good religious” makes a difference.
St. Josémaria Escriva, pray for us.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help, pray for us.
