This week of vocations awareness is a national effort to help us see the forest for the trees. Sometimes, we become so focused on daily activities that we forget our divine purpose. Our general Vocation is the universal call to holiness – to be united to Jesus Christ. But, our particular vocation is the context in which we live out our relationship with God. It is not a matter of professional choice of work. A vocation is a, “Yes,” like Mary’s, in response to God’s will to grow in love with Him in the opportunities and responsibilities that are part of marriage, ordination, religious, or consecrated life.
Every vocation is a commitment to God through the service of others. Each one incorporates the gift of self through spiritual motherhood and fatherhood. They all require sacrificial love that is free, total, faithful, and fruitful. And they each have particular graces to grow in virtues that conform us more closely to Christ. How does an awareness of your own vocation affect how you live your day?
Our seminarian Deacon Chi-Nhan Vo will be ordained a priest next weekend. The Mass of Ordination with Archbishop Sample will be at St. Mary’s Cathedral on Saturday, November 16th at 11:00 AM. The ordination coincides with a special opportunity from Serra International to pray with the Pope Benedict Vocation Monstrance. The monstrance was blessed by Pope Benedict XVI (formerly Cardinal Ratzinger) during the Year of the Eucharist with the intention that it be used for prayer specifically focused on encouraging vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. Pope John Paul II had asked Cardinal Ratzinger to promote vocations through such a monstrance if he became pope, and he fulfilled the promise when he ascended to the papacy as Benedict XVI. Everyone is invited to join in prayer for vocations in a Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration with the monstrance at the dates and times listed below.
Holy Hours for Vocations
Friday, November 15th from 6:30-7:30 PM St. Juan Diego – a prayer vigil with the home parish of Deacon Chi-Nhan Vo.
Saturday, November 16th – 3:30-4:30- St. Pius X Church
Monday, November 18th – 11:30 – 3:30 PM – Our Lady of Peace Retreat Center
Tuesday, November 19th – 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM – St. Anthony Church, Tigard
For any questions please email Melliza @mpalazo@stpius.org (Serra Club of Portland)