Pray for Vocations!

I got a MAJOR wake-up call this morning at Mass. About how important....and VERY needed it is to pray for vocations, especially vocations to the Diocesian Priesthood.

About a month and a half ago a wonderful priest (I think he's either the assistant vocations director for the diocese or the vocations director) came to speak at Mass about vocations--mainly diocesian priests. He asked that *all* we do is pray one Hail Mary a day for an increase in vocations.

Sad to say.....I've prayed that one Hail Mary when I "remember" and unfortunatly it hasn't been every day. I know that there is a shortage and we can always use good, holy priests. I know that. But our diocese is doing "okay" in that department. (Not great but we're doing okay).

Well. At Mass this morning we had a visiting priest from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. He's only been a priest seven years. His was a "late vocation". He was in law enforcement until he retired about 15 years ago and then studied for the priesthood and was ordained in 2000.

He said that "normally" he'd be considered a "baby priest". But not in Los Angeles. Now he is Admistrative/pastor at a parish. He said all that in his homily.

At the end of Mass just before the final blessing is when I got my wake-up call from the Holy Spirit.

Father said that the Archdiocese has 5.5 million Catholics. And only 300 priests (or was it 330? Something small like that). He said that that is one priest for every 14,000 Catholics.

Ouch.

At that moment....then and there I made a promise to our Lord to pray for an increase in vocations EVERY DAY. After Mass I knelt back down to say more prayers and asked how I could help with this besides prayer? I don't know. All I know is that I really will increase my prayers for vocations.

And then I was reminded of my own life. And various things I have been discerning for about two years now. And all the sudden after Mass it was like the Holy Spirit placing things directly in front of my eyes.

Two years ago this past winter I was almost convinced that my vocation was to enter the religious life. But through more prayer, more discernment, more talking with a wonderful priest I realized that no. God had other plans for me. And I was at complete and total peace with that (which is how I know that my vocation isn't religious life....at least not at this stage of my life).

But two years ago this summer...right around this time actually....I was praying and went to Confession and something said in Confession made me a bit confused wondering if I really HAD discerned correctly. And then as I was in front of the Blessed Sacrament I heard in my soul that my "contribution" to vocations was through the Sacrament of Marriage. And that through me there would be a "vocations increase". That one (or more) of the children I would bring into the world would help with the priest and/or religious vocations "shortage".

And through more prayer I have come to feel in my soul very much that a child I will bring into this world will become a priest. I know that may sound "crazy" but I have no doubt in my mind. I really really don't. As long as I trust God and trust that any souls of my future children will be in His hands....then I have nothing to worry about. Because it won't be MY doing but His and our Blessed Mother's.

But until that time when I can bring a precious child into the world I will continue my prayers for an increase in vocations NOW in union with St. Therese de Liseux. As well as pray for the priests in my life and all over the world. And continue to trust in God's Will.