World Day of Prayer for Vocations celebrates those who commit totally to Christ and His Church

Editor’s note: Brother Patrick Winbush, O.S.B., Chairperson of the Vocation Board for Religious Life, writes about World Day of Prayer for Vocations, on Good Shepherd Sunday, April 30. While appreciating all vocations, the Church concentrates its attention this day on vocations to the ordained ministries (priesthood and diaconate), consecrated life in all its forms (male and female religious life, societies of apostolic life, consecrated virginity), secular institutes in their diversity of services and membership, and to the missionary life.

“Listen with the ear of your heart” as Saint Benedict says in his rule for monks. I listened with my heart and said yes to the Lord. When I look back on my 23 years as a monk, God has been good to me.

My dream growing up was to become a priest or religious, and that dream came true.  My attraction to the priesthood and religious life began when I was in catholic elementary school. I was fortunate back then that there were a number of priests and religious in the schools that I attended. I was attracted to them by the way they carried themselves. They were kind, respectful, and tough when they needed to be. The religious were always around when I needed help. I am blessed that I am able to follow in the footsteps of these holy men and women who educated and mentored me.  On the 4th Sunday of Easter which is known as Good Shepherd Sunday, the Church sets aside a day to pray and promote vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. Truthfully, we should be praying for vocations 365 days a year. I pray that every Catholic is doing so.

Why do we celebrate vocations? The vocation to the priesthood and consecrated life is an awesome calling to serve God and his holy people. We are fortunate that our archdiocese is blessed with many fine priests, and deacons, who provide sacramental and pastoral ministry in our 212 parishes in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union counties. Our schools, colleges/universities, hospitals, and other institutions around the archdiocese are grateful for the countless number of religious order priests, brothers, and sisters, who founded and staffed these missions for many decades. I am proud to be a product of the catholic school system in this archdiocese and most importantly I am grateful to my teachers; the Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth, Augustinian Recollect Friars, Congregation of Christian Brothers, Capuchin Friars, Jesuits, and Archdiocesan Priests.

Good Shepherd Sunday gives parishioners opportunities to pray and promote vocations in their parishes and families. I would like to encourage parishes, schools, youth groups, campus ministry, and young adult groups, to invite priests, deacons, seminarians, and religious to come in to speak about their vocation. Many people today are curious about our lifestyles. In order to understand our lifestyles you have to invite us in to share our stories. God might be calling someone in your parish or school to the priesthood, permanent diaconate, or religious life, and these individuals will need your prayers and encouragement to take that next step that will change their lives. Please know that the Archdiocesan Vocation Board for Religious Life, the Office of Priestly Vocations, and the Office of the Permanent Diaconate can be a resource to all of the faithful in the Archdiocese of Newark.

Please pray for Cardinal Joseph Tobin, C.Ss.R., and all of the Auxiliary Bishops, Priests, Deacons, Seminarians, and Consecrated Religious in this great archdiocese that we may continue to be good and humble servants for the people of God.

Amen!