Annual World Day of Prayer for Vocations

My Dear Parishioners,

You may have noticed that the statue of St. Joseph near the rectory has been repaired. There still is more work needed on it, but at least St. Joseph had his head for his Feast day. Thank you to all who contributed to the repair.

On April 21^st, the universal Catholic Church observes the Annual World Day of Prayer for Vocations. By setting aside this day, the church publicly reminds each of us of our need to pray so that Our Lord may send laborers into his harvest. The United States Catholic Conference of Bishops has provided the following message:

“The purpose of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations is to publicly fulfill the Lord’s instruction to, “Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest” (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2). As a climax to a prayer that is continually offered throughout the Church, it affirms the primacy of faith and grace in all that concerns vocations to the priesthood and to the consecrated life. While appreciating all vocations, the Church concentrates its attention this day on vocations to the ordained ministries (priesthood and diaconate), to the Religious life in all its forms (male and female, contemplative and apostolic), to societies of apostolic life, to secular institutes in their diversity of services and membership, and to the missionary life, in the particular sense of mission “ad gentes” (to the people).”

Pope Francis identifies three aspects of vocations: listening, discerning and living. The Holy Father focuses his message on Jesus’ own mission and his visit to the synagogue of Nazareth. He listened to the word, discerned the content of the mission entrusted to him by the Father, and proclaimed that he came to accomplish it today (Lk 4;16-21). Please pray for vocations today and every day. Pope Francis says, “Vocations are born in prayer, and so I ask that you join me in praying for an increase of laborers for the harvest!” Here is a Marian prayer for vocations.

MARIAN PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS

O Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus and Mother of the Church, to you we commend our young people, in particular those called to follow your Son as brothers, sisters, and priests. You know, O Mary, the struggles, doubts, and obstacles they must face. Assist them to answer Yes to the divine call, as you did at the invitation of the angel. Draw them near to your heart so that they can understand the joy that awaits them when they answer your Son’s call to be witnesses of His love in the world.

Amen

We recently received the suggestion to offer the option for a regular or semi-regular Traditional Latin Mass. Unfortunately that is not something that we can do. While, both Saint John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI opened up the opportunity to celebrate the Latin Mass, Pope Francis has strongly restricted it. In 2021, Pope Francis reversed many of the changes allowed by his predecessors. He said at the time that he was acting to preserve church unity, saying the spread of the Tridentine Mass had become a source of division and been exploited by Catholics opposed to the Second Vatican Council. Even if he had not done so, my understanding is that there would need to be a community large enough to support the regular worship in the Latin Form. It is not to be done as a novelty. We did receive special permission while celebrating our 100^th Anniversary to host a Latin Mass, but that was for a single occasion and in light of our celebration.

God Bless You!
Fr. Bordonaro