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Holy Orders & Vocations
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Keep Praying in Support of Vocations - It's Working!
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Paulist Promises &Diaconate Ordination Masses
The Paulist Fathers will celebrate two special Masses for their community, September 2 and 3 in Washington, DC. Both will be livestreamed at Paulist.org/promises.
The Promises Mass will be Friday at 4:30 p.m. (Central) at St. Joseph’s Seminary. Seminarian Eric Hernandez is expected to make his final promise to the Paulists, Novice James Marquez to make his first promise, and the other seminarians to renew their promises.
On Saturday, God-willing, Eric will be ordained a transitional deacon at a 9:00 a.m. (Central) Mass in the Crypt Church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
A Texas connection — Eric’s hometown is Corpus Christi. Before joining the Paulists, he earned a B.A. in philosophy with a minor in religious studies from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
Come, Holy Spirit!
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In Thanks from RichardIn His Postulancy with the OFM
Dear St. Austin's parish community,
I could not possibly express how great my gratitude is for your generosity in supporting vocations through The Laboure Society when I made an appeal at the end of June. Because of your generosity, Laboure has been able to support my student loans while I discern the Franciscan way of life with the Order of Friars Minor.
I entered the Franciscan postulancy program in Silver Spring, Maryland on August 10th, along with five other men from diverse backgrounds. As I write this, we've been here for two weeks, and already it has been a powerful experience of growing closer to God. Please know I am praying for the St. Austin community, which was such a source of joy during my three years in Austin. Keep me in your prayers that I will discern God's will and follow it. I am reachable by email at richg199@gmail.com. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me with any prayer requests, questions, or just to say hi!
God's blessing,
Richard
Our own Richard Gaunt is standing near the center of the photo.
Please continue to pray as he moves along step by step.
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Is God Inviting You to Consider the Priesthood?
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Come & SeeOctober 21 - 23, 2022
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Pray & Plan Now to
Come & See in October
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An Invitation to Discern
Visiting the Paulist seminary would be a significant step in your vocation journey. On this Come & See retreat weekend, you’ll live and interact with the men studying for priesthood with the Paulist Fathers.
You’ll hear stories and learn what is unique about being a Paulist seminarian.
You’ll join the Paulist community for prayer, Mass, and meals. You’ll learn about the principles of discernment; how to discover God’s will for your life.
In three months on October 21, The Paulist Fathers will host their discernment retreat in Washington, DC.
While late October seems far off, we share this invitation now to offer young men time and space to pray and plan. Now is a good time to book transportation to DC, now is a good time to block this weekend on your calendar.
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Paulist Vocation Prayer
Almighty and ever faithful God, you spoke your Word to the world in your Son, Jesus Christ, and commissioned St. Paul to bring your word to all nations and to the ends of the earth. Your Spirit led Servant of God Isaac Hecker to proclaim your word in North America using tools of the modern age.
We ask you to call new missionaries in the line of St. Paul and Father Hecker.
May they burn with passion to give the Gospel a voice so that all may know the mystery of your love. May they follow the Lord Jesus with the zeal of St. Paul and Father Hecker as they carry on the mission of the Paulist Community.
In the power of your Holy Spirit, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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"Here I am, send me." (Is 6:8)
From the moment of Jesus' conception in the womb of Mary until his Resurrection, he was filled with the Holy Spirit. In biblical language, he was anointed by the Holy Spirit and thus established by God the Father as our high priest. As Risen Lord, he remains our high priest. . . . While all the baptized share in Christ's priesthood, the ministerial priesthood shares this through the Sacrament of Holy Orders in a special way.
Ordination to the priesthood is always a call and a gift from God. Christ reminded his Apostles that they needed to ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into the harvest. Those who seek priesthood respond generously to God's call using the words of the prophet, "Here I am, send me" (Is 6:8). This call from God can be recognized and understood from the daily signs that disclose his will to those in charge of discerning the vocation of the candidate.
~USCCB, United States Catholic
Catechism for Adults
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On Being OrdinaryFr. Mike's Homily from Called by Name Sunday
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Our Counter-Cultural Call
Fr. Mike reminds us that, while the world tells us to be special and unique, God called Isaiah and Simon Peter as they were in ordinary places, doing ordinary things. Fr. Mike reminds us of Jesus great gift to us - that He became Flesh - He was ordinary, just like us. Yet Jesus calls us to do extraordinary things - like those we hear from the stretch of level ground in this Sunday's Gospel. We've set the video to begin at Fr. Mike's homily (at the 30 minute, 30 second mark)..
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A Prayer for Vocations
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A Prayer for Vocations
God, the source of creation and love,
You invite each of us to serve you through the life which is your gift.
May your grace encourage men and women to heights
of holiness through service to the church
as priests, sisters, brothers, and lay ministers.
Make me an instrument to encourage others
to give of themselves and challenge me to do the same.
Amen.
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