The priest is not a priest for himself; he does not give himself absolution; he does not administer the Sacraments to himself. He is not for himself.
He is for you.
Every Friday during our Holy Hour, and private prayers during Adoration (8:30am – 4pm, St. Finnan’s Basilica) we are invited to pray for all vocations – to the Sacrament of Marriage, to religious brothers and sisters, and to Holy Orders.
In the past two summers we had the joy of hosting Frs. Steven Gaudet, and Kevin Burgess, including Deacon Michael El-Nachef. Deacon Michael is preparing for ordination to the Holy Priesthood. Let us continue praying for him, and the Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall. If you are discerning a call to the priesthood, please Come and See, please talk with Fr. Blake, as we prepare for a visit to the seminary in February 2023.
The priesthood is not a job, it is a vocation. Priests are called to act in the very person of Christ, and administer the Sacraments to God’s people.
In the New Year we will be introducing a new Travelling Chalice Program, an easy way to help parishioners pray for vocations. In this program, a family or individual receives a chalice at the end of Mass. They take the chalice to their home to display, praying for vocations throughout the week. They can write down any prayer intentions or share reflections on their time with the chalice in an optional prayer journal. Before the following weekend’s liturgies, they return the chalice to the parish. If you would be interested in helping out with this program please talk with Fr. Blake. Again, for more details on this idea see Serra International, a Promotion and Resource Kith for Vocation Directors and Vocation Promoters.
Let us continue praying for vocations to the priesthood. I invite you to offer the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary for priestly vocations. Even if you can’t do it every day, at least offer it once a week. Typically, these mysteries are prayed on Thursdays; however, you can choose another day.
A devotion to the Blessed Mother is the surest and safest way to your vocation. Just as she was the way Jesus chose to come to us, so too, she is the way to go back to Jesus. She will protect, guide, and perfect our prayers and bring them before her Beloved Son.
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