Speaking of vocations …

On Aug. 7 we will celebrate the annual Archbishop’s Dinner for Seminarian Education at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. 

It is an evening of great joy as we come together in support of the men being formed as our future priests. As we approach this festive event each year, my heart is filled with gratitude for the gift of the many vocations with which the Lord is blessing our archdiocese, and our call to go make disciples!

As we seek to build a culture of evangelization and discipleship in central and western Oklahoma, one of the signs a discipleship culture is already taking root is that men and women are giving their lives to Jesus in response to his call. 

Over the past few years, we have seen a growing number of young people actively seeking to know God’s will and desiring to give themselves generously in following his call to discipleship and mission. 

Earlier this summer, I had the privilege of ordaining Father Jonah Beckham and Father John Grim to the priesthood. They have begun their priestly ministry in their new assignments with great joy and pastoral zeal. 

I also have accepted nine new men into seminary formation for the upcoming academic year, bringing our total number of seminarians to 25. This is the largest number of seminarians we have had in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City in several years, and we have more men in the early stages of applying for seminary formation next year. What a blessing!

Over the past several months, a group of women have been discerning with me the possible formation of a religious community right here in Oklahoma. This would be a huge blessing for our local Church, and it is a sign of God’s faithfulness in raising up women to give themselves in a life of consecrated service. Please pray that this will bear fruit.

Just last week, our Vocations Office hosted two discernment retreats, one for men (Quo Vadis Days) and one for women (Talitha Koum). Together, more than 100 retreatants participated – young men and women who are considering a call to the priesthood or religious life, and seeking to know God’s loving plan for their lives. 

What is the cause of this increase in the number of young people pursuing vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life? I think there are at least three good reasons, and probably more.

First, we are concluding our national three-year process of Eucharistic Revival in which we sought to renew and deepen our love of the gift of the Eucharist, and delve more deeply into the mystery of the Mass. This has provided the occasion for many young people to fall in love with Jesus and desire to give their lives in serving him.

Second, the many evangelization initiatives in our parishes, schools, campus ministry programs and elsewhere throughout our archdiocese are drawing young people to a deepening faith and friendship with Jesus, and a desire to live as his missionary disciples. 

Deeply connected to this, and an essential part of these evangelization efforts, are the prayers offered by parents, pastors, members of groups such as the Serra Club, and many, many others who pray that the Lord would draw young people close to his heart and give them the grace of knowing his will for their lives.

Third, and certainly not least, is the example and prayers of Blessed Stanley Rother, our very own priest, missionary and martyr. As the early Church writer Tertullian reminds us, “The blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church.” Blessed Stanley’s example of missionary zeal, love for the Lord, and care for the people entrusted to him reminds young people of the love Jesus Christ has for them, and the mission Christ gives them as his disciples. His prayers before the throne of God are certainly bearing fruit in the life of our local Church.

While it is good to rejoice and give thanks that these vocations are being born in the archdiocese, we never can rest on our laurels and become satisfied or complacent. God isn’t finished yet. 

We all must strive to grow in our love for Jesus in the Eucharist and instill that love in our children. We must never cease bringing the Good News of Jesus’ love to those around us, living out our call as missionary disciples with confidence. 

We must continue to be inspired by the example and seek the intercession of Blessed Stanley Rother so that we may respond generously to the Lord as he did. If we do these things, we will continue bearing fruit and the Lord will continue sending out laborers for his harvest.

Blessed Stanley Rother, pray for us!