We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures; we are the sum of the Father’s love for us and our real capacity to become the image of his Son.
WYD 2002, St. Pope John Paul II, Closing Homily
On May 2, I will be celebrating twelve years as a priest! Fr. Pierre Champoux, Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall, invited me to share my vocation story.
Like every vocation, there are always ups and downs! However, I shared briefly how God continues to overwhelm me with His joy! As he mentioned – my story from Biology, into computers, then Theology – the journey with God is the best adventure ever!
We spoke of how to encourage vocations today, especially to the Holy Priesthood. During this season of Easter, let us continue to be open to the joy of the Risen Lord! Praying for you. Please continue to pray for me.
ps. Though I never made it to World Youth Day in Toronto, 2002, I do feel like I was there! The youth group that helped me understand my faith, and guided me while I began asking questions about life, were present and shared with me their joy from WYD2002! Let us continue to pray for our youth today, to be open to the vocation God puts on their hearts!
O Lord Jesus Christ, keep these young people in your love. Let them hear your voice and believe what you say, for you alone have the words of life. Teach them how to profess their faith, bestow their love, and impart their hope to others. Make them convincing witnesses to your Gospel in a world so much in need of your saving grace. Make them the new people of the Beatitudes, that they may be the salt of the earth and the light of the world at the beginning of the Third Christian Millennium! Mary, Mother of the Church, protect and guide these young men and women of the Twenty-first Century. Keep us all close to your maternal heart. Amen.
Prayer for the Youth, St. Pope John Paul II’s Closing Prayer, WYD 2002
