Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of February is for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
I joined the Jesuits after graduating from a Jesuit high school. Things were different than they are now - younger people made life decisions -- or they were made for them -- much earlier. Some in my generation got married and started raising families during their college years, many went to fight in the Vietnam War (some had to while others made the choice). In my senior year in high school I knew I would go to college, taking business classes to work in my father’s company or taking humanities classes to be a teacher -- both of those futures appealed to me.
Then, a Jesuit told me he thought I’d be a good teacher. Another Jesuit reminded me that Jesuits teach. One of the few lay teachers at the school said he thought I would make a good Jesuit teacher. (I wonder if they planned the attack). My memory says those conversations happened over a few days, but it was likely over a few months. At any rate, after interviews and evaluations, by the time I graduated I had been accepted to the Jesuit Novitiate, the first stage of formation in the Jesuits.
Though it is probably true for any profession or vocation, it is especially true for religious vocations that when two or three people say you might be good for religious life it makes a difference in how you think about it as a possibility. If you know a young woman or young man you think would be a good religious sister, brother or priest -- I don’t mean a pious Jane or pious Joe; I mean a young person who wants to do something important with their lives and they want to follow Jesus in his service for others -- tell them so.
When I entered the Jesuit Novitiate, I am sure I was carried away by idealism, but over time the idealism morphed into a realistic understanding of how God was calling me to be. I prayed in high school; I was in the Sodality of Our Lady (now known as the Christian Life Community). As a Jesuit I learned a different kind of prayer and with more time, learned a way to have a running conversation with Jesus.
Being a Jesuit has certainly helped me pray, but you don’t have to be a Jesuit to pray. St. Ignatius wants us to believe we can all know God and have a personal relationship with God. As St. Robert Bellarmine, one of the early Jesuits, used to say, “If you have God for a friend, you are doing well.” We are all called (vocare - a summons, an invitation) to get to know God. Give prayer a chance for friendship's sake.
In your friendship with God, please join Pope Francis in praying for vocations:
Risen Lord,
You journey alongside us and
call each of us to holiness.
Give us courage to walk forward in hope.
We pray for an increase in vocations
to religious life and priesthood.
Inspire in young women and men
a burning desire to serve You.
May we joyfully set out together to build up
your kingdom of justice, mercy, and love.
We ask this in your name, Jesus.
______________________________
Some February dates to note:
Black History Month
1 - National Freedom Day
2 - The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
5 - National Girls and Women in Sports Day
6 - Feast of St. Paul Miki, SJ, and Companions
7 - Charles Dickens born 1812
8 - Boy Scouts USA founded 1910
9 - World Marriage Day
11 - Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes
12 - Abraham Lincoln born 1809
14 - St. Valentine’s Day
15 - Feast of St. Claude La Colombiere, SJ
Susan B. Anthony born 1820
17 - Presidents’ Day
Feast of the Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order
19 - Japanese Internment Camps established 1942
21 - National Caregivers Day
Malcolm X assassinated 1965
22 - Feast of the Chair of St. Peter
George Washington born 1732
23 - W.E.B. Du Bois born 1868
28 - First Day of Ramadan
Pope Francis’ Prayer Intention for February:
For vocations to the priesthood and religious life
http://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/
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