Today’s Seminarians: Following the Right Path to the Priesthood

Today’s Seminarians:  Following the Right Path to the Priesthood

With the consistent increase of men entering the seminary, we find that today’s seminarians are following the right path of the priesthood.  

These are now men in many cases that have advanced degrees and established sound careers who give all that up in a calling to their vocation to the priesthood.  

They are the constant success story of young men who faithfully follow the right path of studies, prayer and formation, to become good and holy priests.  

These men have a long journey on this path as the process can take six to eight years before they are ordained.   

Yet, they know this is the right path.

During their studies and their formation, is also consent discernment. In this process, these men seek to listen to God.  

Seminarian Bret Meltzler stated, “It takes some discipline to sit down and listen to God, event if it starts 5 minutes a day. God can work with that.”   

Thus, today’s seminarians believe that God is working with them on their path.  They seek God in much of what they do.  

These men of God will be formed in the intellectual and doctrinal tradition of the Catholic Church, and they will be men of great prayer who embrace the service to the Church and their community as new priests.

It was in The Tidings that Archbishop Jose H. Gomez reflected on the priesthood as follows, “The priesthood is a gift and a mystery in God’s plan for the salvation of the world.  

Every priest receives a special calling from God.  This calling is an invitation to a great adventure of self-surrender and service to God’s plan.”  

On reflecting on his words, today’s seminarians hear this holy call and bravely enter their journey on the holy path to the priesthood and all that is expected of them. 

In an age of self-promotion through the Social Networks, Blogs, Tweets, etc., they find for themselves a better and more self-fulling path of self-surrender to God’s plan. 

Today’s seminarians will find that it is not always an easy path towards the priesthood, but it is a sacramental path that will bring so much to their lives and the lives of others.  

Newly ordained Fr. John Adrian Palmer states on becoming a priest, “As a priest, I hope to share in Jesus’s mission by helping people to know and experience God’s merciful love so that they, in turn, can help others to know and experience His love, and ‘so that they may all be one’ (John 17:21) with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

In the years to come, may many other good men find this holy path to the priesthood and shine the bright light of Christ so needed in today’s world! 

For further reference see www.lavocations.org  or www.Facebook.com/la.vocations.

Dominican Sisters Attract Young Women to Life of Service

Please click on the link to view the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnOOlmqG3Eg

**(Please also see website www.imaginesisters.org )**.

The Characteristics of Today’s Holy Archdiocesan Priests

In this day, the journey to the priesthood is a long one and the characteristics required for the formation to ordain a seminarian to the priesthood are numerous.  Yet, it needs to be so, in having good and holy priests for a lifetime of service.  With this article, I wanted to reflect on what most Archdioceses of today are requiring for the formation of their seminarians.  In the “Profile of a Candiate for the Priesthood to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles” (See *) as mentioned in the Parish Vocation Director’s Manual originally created by the Vocations Office, under the direction of Monsignor Jim Forsen, it is mentioned these vital characteristics as follows:

          “1.     An ecclesial spirituality that includes a deep love and commitment to the Eucharist, to the Sacramental life of the Church, to the Scriptures, and to the Liturgy of the Hours; as well as a personal spirituality that includes a commitment to private prayer, balance devotionalism, and personal spiritual growth.

2.                A fundamental knowledge and understanding of the teaching of the Catholic Church, and a faith commitment to those teaching in their entirely.

3.                Commitment to the Magisterium of the Church as contained in official Church documents, with a special emphasis upon the spirit and teachings of the Second Vatican Council and subsequent implementing documents; commitment to follow the leadership of the Archbishop as the authentic Teacher within the Archdiocese.  The candidate must understand and accept the extraordinary teaching of our Holy Father in Pastores Dabo Vobis.

4.                Strong moral character and an evident commitment to integrity, honesty, and personal and social justice.

5.                A genuine desire to serve others over the pursuit and satisfaction of one’s personal interests, with a strong commitment to an appropriately simple life-style and willingness to serve the poor and to accept assignment to less affluent parishes.

6.                Physical, mental and emotional health, as evidenced by the absence of inhibiting disabilities and potentially serious medical conditions; a balanced approach to work, prayer and leisure; appropriate expression of emotions; good stress management skills and freedom from addictions; where pertinent, five years of sobriety and continuing successful involvement in recovery program.

7.                Age appropriate psycho-sexual maturity.

8.                Commitment to and ability to live a life of celibacy according to the call of Christ, including celibate living for two years prior to entering the seminary and throughout the entire period of formation.  Pursuing the virtue of chastity enhances overall priestly holiness.

9.                Proven academic ability to complete graduate theological studies, etc.

10.           Willingness to coorperate with the vision and mission of the Universal Church, the Archdiocese, the Archbishop, and appropriate Archdiocese officals and leaders.

11.           Good interpersonal skills for sustaining relationships and fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of ministry, including evidence of sound peer relationships.

12.           Pastoral sensitivity demonstrated by genuine care and compassion for others, a clear sense of prudence, as well as an aptitude for acquiring pastoral skills.

13.           Ability to work collaboratively with laymen, laywomen, women religious, permanent Deacons, other priests, and the Regional Bishops.

14.           Demonstrable leadership skills and the ability to show initiative in pastoral and personal situations, together with the desire to inculcate sound liturgical presiding skills – to serve as a leader of prayer.

15.           Ability to minister in two or more pastoral languages, with Spanish the most often needed.

16.           Appropriate appreciation and respect for diversity and multiculturalism, especially as these factors present themselves in the religious traditions of the various ethnic groups.

17.           Requisite communication skills.”

*        It should be noted that all the “characteristics” mentioned in this article are ones that are consistant with the “issues of human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral formation” that had been set clearly to incorporate during the lifetime of Pope John Paul II (now Saint) in his noted 1992 Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhoration, Pastores Dabo Vogis, articles 43-59, and as described in The Program for Priestly Formation.  

As one can see, there are many key characteristics that are needed for the formation of a seminarian to the priesthood.  It is a time when any Archdiocese is prudent in having seminarians that reflect these characteristics for holy and well qualified priests that bring greater compassion, holiness, communication and strength for a lifetime of service.

If you would like to find out more about the Los Angeles vocations program or to contact the Vocations Office,  please see www.lavocations.org. 

OLD MISSION ARCHES Article

OLD MISSION ARCHES SYMBOLIC OF TODAY’S SEMINARIANS

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 sun.

Leslie Lenko

Vocations Promoter

STOLE AND CHALICE Article

PROMOTING HOMEGROWN VOCATIONS THROUGH THE STOLE & CHALICE PROGRAM

Throughout the Archdiocese of Southern California, many parishes are working on new and innovative ways, to promote vocations to the priesthood and religious life.   

The Stole & Chalice Program, was initially brought forth from the Vocations Office of Los Angeles, under the direction of Monsignor Jim Forsen.  

This program provides the opportunity for a parish family to receive a liturgical stole, chalice and prayer folder, during the Mass, to present to a family to have  in their home for one to two weeks.  

The family would then display the stole and chalice and as a family unit pray together for priests, seminarians and new vocations to the priesthood.

The prayer binder provided would contain prayers and materials to enhance their week-long commitment.

The primary objective, is directed towards promoting needed vocations to the priesthood and to inspire homegrown vocations within the family.  

It also serves to bring attention to the need of prayer for vocations and quiet reflection on those going through the formation process for the priesthood.

Each Southern California parish that participates in the Stole & Chalice Program determines how extensive the program will be. 

A number of parishes have the program once a week, which requires a fair amount of coordination to obtain family volunteers, schedule advanced mass participation, etc.  

Typically, just one family per week receives the stole, chalice and prayer binder, from the priest during Mass.  The priest may give a brief talk on vocations, have a special vocations prayer and/or provide a family blessing.    

After the completed time with the program, the  family then returns the items to the parish office one week later so the Vocations Director or Promoter will  have them available for the next family.  

It is entirely up to the Vocations Director, or promoter, to coordinate with the family and the celebrating priest for that week so everything runs smoothly.

There are many benefits and graces for a family trying to foster a vocation  by participating in the Stole & Chalice Program. 

With my work with this program as a promoter, it was noted that a participating family was fostering more than one vocation. Their son, an Altar Server, was presented with the Chalice. That family now has a son, who is clearly discerning a vocation to the priesthood as a result of the Stole & Chalice Program as well as another child.

Many families have found the program inspiring and beneficial in their ministry as parents to promote a homegrown vocation, as well as  a wonderful way to bring them together in prayer.  

I have noted many families who have found it to be a positive, enriching program. 

I am a believer that all holy vocations start with the prayer of the family or parish community.

The Stole & Chalice Program is an excellent way to promote homegrown vocations.  It offers quality family time for prayers, a Rosary, viewing a vocations DVD, Vocation prayer cards, list of Sacred Websites and much more. Some families create their individual sacramental moments such as when they write their personal prayer, place it in the chalice, and then pray over it together as a family.  

One mother, during one summer, participated for three weeks and had the stole in plain sight.  That family is now fostering two vocations to the priesthood.   

The power and grace of having a sacramental stole and chalice displayed in the family home is amazing and inspiring for teenagers.  

More important, families are brought together in quality prayer for prayer and reflection.

The education and holy experience of families participating in the Stole & Chalice Program continues to be a great benefit in fostering homegrown vocations throughout many Southern California parishes.  

This simple program reminds families that “Yes!" “We need more vocations to the priesthood," “We need prayers for our priests,"  “We need prayer for our seminarians.”  “We need young women to consider religious life."  It is a program that any parish in America can incorporate into their vocations promotion program.  

It simply takes a good coordinator the schedule and provide the stole, chalice and detailed prayer binder with materials.  

It is a perfect program for the Season of Advent or Lent. Please consider it within your parish community.

       

All vocations start with pray.    

- Leslie Lenko

FOLLOW ME: Journeys to Priesthood

Please watch this youtube video if you are discerning a vocation to the Priesthood:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApEPnW0oRfE

All Holy Vocations Start With Prayer

All holy vocations start with prayer. It is a time of great discernment to realize there is a potential call from God for your vocation.