Year IV, Number 43

The three disciples caught up in ecstasy hear the Father’s call to listen to Christ, to place all their trust in him, to make him the center of their lives. The words from on high give new depth to the invitation by which Jesus himself, at the beginning of his public life, called them to follow him, to leave their ordinary lives behind and to enter into a close relationship to him. It is precisely this special grace of intimacy which, in the consecrated life, makes possible and even demands the total gift of self in the profession of the evangelical counsels. The counsels, more than a simple renunciation, are a specific acceptance of the mystery of Christ, lived within the Church.

In the unity of the Christian life, the various vocations are like so many rays of the one light of Christ, whose radiance “brightens the countenance of the Church.” The laity, by virtue of the secular character of their vocation, reflect the mystery of the Incarnate Word particularly insofar as he is the Alpha and the Omega of the world, the foundation and measure of the value of all created things. Sacred ministers, for their part, are living images of Christ the Head and Shepherd who guides his people during this time of “already and not yet”, as they await his coming in glory. It is the duty of the consecrated life to show that the Incarnate Son of God is the eschatological goal towards which all things tend, the splendor before which every other light pales, and the infinite beauty which alone can fully satisfy the human heart. In the consecrated life, then, it is not only a matter of following Christ with one’s whole heart, of loving him “more than father or mother, more than son or daughter” (cf. Mt 10:37) — for this is required of every disciple — but of living and expressing this by conforming one’s whole existence to Christ in an all-encompassing commitment which foreshadows the eschatological perfection, to the extent that this is possible in time and in accordance with the different charisms. By professing the evangelical counsels, consecrated persons not only make Christ the whole meaning of their lives but strive to reproduce in themselves, as far as possible, “that form of life which he, as the Son of God, accepted in entering this world.” By embracing chastity, they make their own the pure love of Christ and proclaim to the world that he is the Only-Begotten Son who is one with the Father (cf. Jn 10:30, 14:11). By imitating Christ’s poverty, they profess that he is the Son who receives everything from the Father, and gives everything back to the Father in love (cf. Jn 17:7, 10). By accepting, through the sacrifice of their own freedom, the mystery of Christ’s filial obedience, they profess that he is infinitely beloved and loving, as the One who delights only in the will of the Father (cf. Jn 4:34), to whom he is perfectly united and on whom he depends for everything. By this profound “configuration” to the mystery of Christ, the consecrated life brings about in a special way that confessio Trinitatis which is the mark of all Christian life; it acknowledges with wonder the sublime beauty of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and bears joyful witness to his loving concern for every human being.

Q. Dear Fr Anthony,

I have two questions. One is vocation related. The other is not, but I still want to know about it. First off, how can someone become a good loyal priest to the Church when the diocese they want to go into is liberal? My home diocese is very liberal, but I want to be here because my family and friends are all here. Next is about Halloween. Is it a sin for me to take my little brother trick or treating? We were told by our religious instructor it was okay to dress as the devil or a ghost to show that God has full authority over evil and to make fun of it. My pastor told me its okay to take him out for candy, go to a party, watch the Great Pumpkin, carve his pumpkin, and have fun like this. He also said that going to do vandalism, stealing, doing occult practices like the Ouiji board, tarot cards, and séances are sins and should not be done. Are we wrong? Is there a sin involved?

A. Dear Chris,

Your first question is a thorny but very practical one. First of all, you have to be sure that your impressions about your diocese are true. For that you need the counsel of prudent and knowledgeable priests. Make sure your are not extrapolating from some small incident or from a problem that there might be in an individual parish, and then presuming that it is the policy of the whole diocese. What should most concern you as regards the priesthood is that you will receive in the seminary an adequate spiritual, philosophical, and theological preparation; and then as a priest that you can exercise your priesthood freely and according to the mind of the Church, with the support of your bishop and in obedience to him. You should speak to the vocation director and the bishop about this. Now this is a delicate point, because nobody is going to want to accept you if you are laying down conditions, but I am sure that no one will object to your making a mature, reasoned, and humble explanation of your concerns. If you are still not at ease in your conscience with the answers you get, then an avenue you might consider is to study for the priesthood in a diocese where your concerns are addressed, and ask the bishop there if he would consider letting you transfer back to your home diocese at some stage in the future if it became feasible. However, I do not think the possibility of a transfer back to your home diocese should condition your acceptance of your vocation. If you have a vocation and to follow it you need to go to another diocese, then go. Don’t look back.

As regards Halloween, it seems to me that the advice you have been given is correct. There is nothing wrong in trick or treating, as long as you do not engage in vandalism, occult practices or such.

- Fr Anthony

Q. Dear Fr Anthony,

I hope you don’t mind me asking so many questions - I just like your advice. Anyway, I think I may have the call to be consecrated. I feel a strong desire to become consecrated. Is it wrong for me to ask for a sign? And if not, what kind of sign should I ask for?

- Tierany

A. Dear Tierany,

It’s nice to hear from you again, I hope you are well.

Signs. It is OK to ask for and examine the normal signs, but I do not recommend asking for extraordinary ones.

What are the ordinary signs? Having the qualities that are needed (physical health, psychological health, proper maturity for your age, a spiritual life, the ability to sacrifice and dedicate yourself to your commitments), wanting to do it of your own free will for a good (spiritual) reason, and not having any impediment.

If we have the qualities, are free from impediments, and the desire is in our heart (even though other desires may be battling against it), it is safe to presume that there may be a vocation there. At that point there are two things we should take care of simultaneously. One has to do with our prayer: we need to direct it towards increasing our generosity, asking Christ to give us the grace of loving and choosing him above everything so that whatever he asks of us is what we will do, be it a consecrated vocation or not. In our prayer we also need to open up our hearts to the needs of souls around us, because a vocation is a call of service to Christ which always entails some form of service for others (even the contemplative vocation is at the service of the needs of the Church). The second has to do with our action: we have to actively look at the type of vocation we think God may be calling us to, visit there, get to know the people and let them get to know us, ask their advice; we have to favor the vocation, and keep it in mind when we choose our friends, pastimes, etc...

It is very helpful to talk this over with a prudent person whose judgment we trust, such people often see things that we do not.

God bless.

- Fr Anthony

In its true meaning life as vocation, call, is not to be limited to that first call in which we were created and appointed to be like Christ. God continues to call us every single day; at each moment he spells out the demands of that first call, which echoes in our hearts. Every grace, every event or circumstance that he permits in our life is an opportunity to give thanks, the possibility for a personal encounter with Christ, a new call to repay generously his love. I invite you to think over in God’s presence the principal graces he has bestowed on you throughout your life. How many signs of his love! How many calls to conversion and response! The great gift of life and health, the ability to enjoy material goods for your well-being and formation, the marvelous opportunity of being born and growing up in a Christian family, and so forth.

In a special way, there is the gift of Baptism, greatly surpassing all natural gifts: “because your steadfast love is better than life” (Ps. 63:3). It makes us able to call God Father since we are truly his children (cf. Jn 3:1). As a result, we are also called to be children of our mother, the Church. We become part of the family of God and heirs of heaven, our true and definitive home. Marvelous indeed is the gift of faith! We should delve deeper into the riches of our baptism. An entire life would not be enough to meditate on this singular grace and thank God for it. As a consequence of being Christians we enjoy a true feast of graces: the sacraments of Confirmation, Eucharist and Reconciliation; the nourishment of God’s word in Sacred Scripture; the liturgy; the communion of saints; the support of priests; the teachings and example of the Holy Father, and so forth.

Gospel: Mk 12:28-34

One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’; and ‘to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,’ and ‘to love one’s neighbor as oneself,’ - this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that no one dared to ask him any questions.

Introductory Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, you indicated by your words and actions that I am called to love you and my neighbor. To do so, however, I need your grace. Confident in your generosity, I ask you to fill my heart with your divine charity so that I may be able to radiate your love to those around me.

Petition: Increase in my soul my love for you and for my neighbor.

1. “Which commandment is the first of all?”

Within the Jewish tradition, the Law of Moses was of utmost importance; it was the means through which Israel responded to God’s alliance. Hence, to ask which is the most important commandment is equivalent to asking what is the meaning of life. This desire comes from an inquisitive and sincere heart as Christ’s approval indicates.

Every soul, every individual cannot forgo the essential question about what God expects from him: “The truth comes initially to the human being as a question: Does life have a meaning? Where is it going? At first sight, personal existence may seem completely meaningless. It is not necessary to turn to the philosophers of the absurd or to the provocative questioning found in the Book of Job in order to have doubts about life’s meaning. The daily experience of suffering - in one’s own life and in the lives of others - and the array of facts which seem inexplicable to reason are enough to ensure that a question as dramatic as the question of meaning cannot be evaded.” (Fides et Ratio, 26).

2. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart - and your neighbor as yourself.”

Any student is thankful to know what questions will be on the final exam. Thanks to the scribe’s question Christ is telling us precisely that: during the final judgment we will be asked about our love. First, our love for God must be established, because that is the love that is the foundation for all other loves. Only God is good, and man can only know and participate in that good if it is a gift from God (Veritatis Splendor, 11). So if we want to love, we must depend on God, who is the source of love since he is love itself. Often, the relationship among men is so distorted because man first neglected his relationship to God; after disobeying God, Adam and Eve began to accuse one another.

However, if our love for God is authentic, it must express itself in love for one’s neighbor: “Those who say, ‘I love God,’ and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen” (1 Jn 4: 20). Therefore, love for God and love for neighbor are inseparable.

3. “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”

We are pilgrims on this earth; our home is ultimately heaven. This explains why our longing will always go above and beyond what this world has to offer, “our hearts are restless till they find rest in Thee” (Confessions, St. Augustine, Book 1, Ch. 1). All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day remind us of this reality. We honor the souls that have achieved their final goal, and we ask for their intercession. We pray for those souls who after death continue to experience God’s purifying love. In doing so, we realize that the Church is much larger than that what we see - she consists also of our brothers and sisters who have preceded us in this life. This gives us hope that we too may achieve union with God and our brothers and sisters in heaven, so that we can continue for all eternity the loving relationships begun here on earth.

Dialogue: Lord Jesus, I often seek my happiness in a selfish manner. Help me to understand that, “unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (Jn 12:34). Help me to offer in union with you the sacrifice of self-donation, which is pleasing to the Father.

Questionnaire:

1. Do I place God first in my life, before studies, work, even my own likes? What are the practical consequences in my daily life, which indicate that Christ is important to me?

2. Does my love of neighbor reflect Christ’s charity? Does it consist in self-donation? Is it open to all people?

3. Do I ever pray for the deceased and the souls in purgatory? Do I ask the saints for their intercession? Do I read the lives of the saints? Do I try to imitate their virtues?

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 9, 2003 - John Paul II says the priesthood is not a career or a profession, but a vocation of love for others which explains the need for celibacy.

The Pope addressed the challenges and temptations faced by priests when he met with Philippine bishops from the provinces of Caceres, Capiz, Cebu, Jaro and Palo, during their five-yearly visit to Rome.

"Today's clergy must be careful not to adopt the secular view of the priesthood as a profession, a career and a means of earning a living," the Holy Father said. "Rather, the clergy must see the priesthood as a vocation to selfless, loving service, embracing wholeheartedly the esteemed gift of celibacy and all that this involves."

He explained that for this reason, "celibacy is to be regarded as an integral part of the priest's exterior and interior life, and not just as a long-standing ideal which is to be respected."

"Sadly, the lifestyle of some clergy has been a countersign to the spirit of the evangelical counsels which should be a part of the spirituality of every priest," he lamented.

"The scandalous behavior of a few has undermined the credibility of many," he told the bishops. "I wish you to know that I am aware of the sensitive way in which you have attempted to address this issue, and I encourage you not to lose hope."

"True discipleship calls for love, compassion and, at times, strict discipline in order to serve the common good," the Pope added. It should "always be just and always be merciful."

So that the Church have priests who are aware of their mission, the Pope exhorted the bishops above all to pay special attention to the selection of candidates for the priesthood.

"Once a candidate is selected, the process of preparing him to be a good and holy priest begins," he said. Four "diverse types of formation" are necessary to achieve this objective, he added.

First is the need for "human formation, which assists the candidate to live and internalize priestly virtues, especially those of simplicity, chastity, prudence, patience and obedience."

Second, future priests need "intellectual formation, which emphasizes an in-depth study of philosophy and theology, at all times maintaining fidelity to the teachings of the magisterium."

Third, superiors of seminarians must offer "pastoral formation, which enables the candidate to apply theological principles to pastoral praxis."

Lastly, the Pope highlighted the "spiritual formation" that every young man must receive who is preparing for the priesthood, a formation "which stresses the essential need for regular celebration of the sacraments, especially the sacrament of penance, together with private and devotional prayer and frequent visits with a spiritual director."

Thus, ministers will be formed "who will joyously struggle to be faithful to the Lord and to serve his flock unswervingly," the Holy Father concluded.

Upcoming Events & Retreats

(( Listed here are retreats directed by the Legionaries of Christ and Regnum Christi members. For a listing of diocesan activities and other events, click here to go to the vocation.com website ))

LEGIONARIES OF CHRIST

Rome, Italy. December 27, 2003 - January 5, 2004. Youth Pilgrimage for boys ages 11-15. Price: $1,495 (includes airfare) Chaplains are the Legionaries of Christ. Contact Ray Arsenault at (902) 854-2808 or arsenaultacres@pei.sympatico.ca

Rome, Italy. December 27, 2003 - January 5, 2004. Pilgrimage for college-aged men and high school seniors. Price: $399 + airfare. Chaplains are the Legionaries of Christ. Contact Karolee Stauduhar at kstauduhar@msn.com or (407) 869-8263.

REGNUM CHRISTI consecrated men

Call Tony MacDonnell for more information, (301) 365-3205. amacdonnell@arcol.org.

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