OLD MISSION
The
beautiful old mission arches, built long ago, into the design of the 24
California Missions, are so symbolic of today’s seminarians.
These simple arches standing together that
support and strengthen each individual mission, seem to reflect today’s
seminarians standing together to support each other’s vocation to the holy
priesthood.
These old mission arches,
initially built under the direction of a peaceful Franciscan Friar, Padre
Junipero Serra, seem symbolic of today’s seminarians working peacefully through
the completion of their formation program during a time when we have a Pope
taking the Franciscan name of “Francis”.
The
old mission arches stand strong, just as today’s seminarians stand strong in
their commitment to their vocation.
Like
an old mission arch always secure and tall, a seminarian who realizes that this
is truly God’s call for him, remains strong and tall in his commitment to be
ordained a future priest.
These young
men being strong in their commitment to completing in excellence work through
their lengthy formation program, living a life of chastity, showing charity
towards others and being quiet men of prayer.
They have a great love of church, respect for leadership and passion to
learn how to be exceptional holly priests.
Like an old mission arch that stands strong through heavy rains, winds
and strong sun, a seminarian stands strong through the long hours of formation
studies, the challenges great and small, as well as the needed field work to
prepare for the priesthood.
The
old mission arches are the same as all the other arches supporting the roof and
so to are all the seminarians the same in supporting their seminary and the
Universal Catholic Church.
A young man
who selects his seminary for his vocation program and later receives admission
to that seminary, remains steadfast, supportive and committed to the Masses,
prayers, teachings, spiritual guidance, field work and formation traditions
provided by that individual seminary.
A
seminary that is Archdiocesan would be different in their formation program
than that of a Franciscan or Dominican seminary.
Yet, in their differences, much is the same,
and each seminarian shows their support by obedience and commitment to what the
program consists of. It is thus the best
of times for young men to consider the priesthood.
The
old mission arches are beautiful to me; since I know that each arch was build
by hand with much care, and much time, brick by brick.
The outer layer of plaster composite was then
applied over these bricks with the final perfect shade of paint to complete
each arch.
So too, a seminary who will
be a priest, is built over much time, with much care, to their studies and spiritual
growth. Their outer layer reflecting
their full completion are the white vestments on their Ordination Day.
That perfect shade of paint is then given
through the Holy Spirit, and these new priests are then ready to stand together
for a lifetime of service, like those old arches in the California
Leslie
Lenko
Vocations
Promoter
