The Weight on these Shoulders

I recently had a conversation with a youth who made the wrong comment around me:

In the middle of a crowded room, I heard a youth who I've known for several years say, "Sometimes I think I should become a priest."

Of course my ears went ringing. I had heard rumors about this young wanting to be a priest before, but now I was hearing it with my own two ears!

Like a moth to a flame, I beelined right over to him and showered him with questions, "Really? Are you thinking about being a priest? Have you thought about going to a retreat? How can I pray for you?"

He smiled shyly and said, "Yeah, maybe...but sometimes I think I'm too old."

I wanted to shove him. This kid is barely out of high school. We shared a laugh and I told him I would pray for him...BY NAME! And he said, "Ok."

I feel like I'm living in a pretty exciting time when I am up to my eyeballs in people who are truly discerning vocations instead of just slipping into whatever their peers tell them they should do.

I also recall a conversation I recently had with a mother whose son is in the seminary. I told her, "I know a lot of people have said it's wonderful that he's going into seminary, but I wanted to tell you that what he is doing is also heroic."

And it truly is. I've heard the cliches that say not all heroes wear capes (some of them wear chasubles) and not all fathers wear ties (some wear collars). But in times like these when are young men are urged to don stethoscopes and business suits so they can pad their pockets with lots of money, there is something truly powerful about laying down everything knowing that what you will get in return is nothing in the eyes of a materialistic world.

People respond to God's call to the priesthood and consecrated life knowing - at least in part - what they are walking into. Our young men will run the gauntlet of insults and questions about why they would want to give up a lucrative career and a beautiful wife for an institution that abuses children. Our young ladies will be questioned about why they're bowing to the Church patriarchy instead of pursuing a PhD at a prestigious university. And after these men and women have dodged all of those questions, they will likely go into an institution where they will be expected to give everything everywhere all the times to everyone. They will go to a home that isn't theirs at the end of a busy day, carrying the voices and struggles of the people they meet, things they cannot unhear and images they cannot unsee. Maybe the thought will cross their mind that they are not good enough, and they may even hear the taunt that says "You will NEVER be good enough."

And yet they will rise to the call.

This kind of call isn't just about escaping the world that has proven itself to be cruel or earning prestige or having your name splashed across a website. This kind of call is about responding to a deep call of love, to love, for love. It comes from a voice that is much quieter but more powerful than the sound of money in the bank. The people who respond to this call go into it knowing that at some point, it will mean being led where they do not want to go. But they go because staying wouldn't be enough for them. Staying wouldn't fulfill them. Staying wouldn't be an act of Love.

In 13 days, on September 29, a special day will be set aside to honor priesthood in the United States. Catholics are also encouraged to celebrate World Day of Prayer for Vocations and World Day for Consecrated Life. As we lead up to this special day, I want to ask that you all please spend some time praying for not only our priests and consecrated women but also for those who are discerning vocations to the priesthood consecrated life. There is so much joy in these vocations, but there is also a need for your prayer, support, and love. While you're at it, take a moment, too, to share a story about a priest or consecrated woman who has changed your life for the better. You never know when it may change someone else's, too.