Vocations: A Gift to the Church, a Gift to the Family

Speaking of the Archdiocese of Washington (see below), the Catholic Standard is running another great story on seminarians. This covers a Seminarian Family Day in which Archbishop Donald Wuerl visited with the seminarians and their families. From the article:

During his homily, the archbishop noted the recent Ordination Mass marked the beginning of the Year for Priests declared by Pope Benedict XVI. Archbishop Wuerl said in the Year for Priests, "We are reminded of the unique role and the identity of the priest." He added that the priest "continues the work of redemption on Earth."Archbishop Wuerl noted that the Seminarian Family Day also marked the feast of St. James, an early Christian martyr who understood what the priesthood is all about. The archbishop said, "What the priest brings to the world today...is surpassing power...nothing less than the presence of Christ."The archbishop also quoted St. John Vianney, who is the patron saint of parish priests. St. John Vianney said priests must be men of prayer, hear their calling, share their identity with Christ, and show and live that identity by caring for those entrusted to their care.Archbishop Wuerl said priestly formation makes it "possible for the earthen vessels to be strong enough, to hold that gift of surpassing power."

Then Msgr. Panke spoke about the role of families in the formation of priests:

Msgr. Panke said, "What God asks us to do makes us happy. If you say 'yes' to that, then your life is beautiful.""Parents play such an essential role" in the formation of the priest, Msgr. Panke said, and he added that the role of parents in a priest's vocation is lifelong. "When we (priests) become ordained, we bring our families with us." Likewise the commitment of the priest "oozes out into the family," he said.That point was illustrated by two sets of parents of future priests who gave testimonials during the picnic. In their testimony, Dan and Judy Wells -- the parents of Deacon Dave Wells, a seminarian for the archdiocese -- said his vocation to the priesthood has been an "invisible osmosis that's affected our family," noting that their son's vocation has had a good influence on their whole family.Tom and Cecilia Royals -- the parents of Father Andrew Royals, a parochial vicar at Sacred Heart Parish in Bowie -- said although they have more than one son, for families who only have one son, it can be difficult for him to be "given up" to the priesthood. But the couple said instead of grandchildren, parents of a priest have "spiritual progeny."

Go read the whole thing.