“The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:38).
To: The Faithful of the Diocese of London
Re: Year of Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood
Jesus told his disciples to “ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.” Throughout the history of our diocese, many priests and members of institutes of consecrated life, women and men, have given their lives in service of the Gospel. We thank God for the tremendous witness they have given us and the enormous sacrifices they have made.
We thank God also because in our day he continues to send out workers into his harvest. In the next few weeks, I will be ordaining three men to the diaconate. God willing, they will be ordained priests in a year’s time. Their vocations have been nurtured in their families, our parishes and St. Peter’s Seminary. Their ordinations are a sign of hope for all of us.
When we speak of vocations, it is important to recognize that God’s loving call is to all. All the baptized are called by God to a particular vocation. Some are called to love and serve the Lord in marriage and family, others in single life, others in ordained ministry, consecrated life and lay ecclesial ministries. Others respond to God’s call through their presence in the world in their professional, social and community commitments. Our response to God’s call must be a lifelong project which we embrace every day with all our hearts.
A real and pressing concern for our diocese, as well as dioceses across Canada and other parts of the world, is the shortage of priests. We are blessed to have priests from other countries who are willing to minister in our diocese. They leave their homeland and serve generously in our parishes, working hard to become familiar with our culture and to learn a different language. We would not be able to serve our people without them and are profoundly grateful for their priestly ministry.
As we look to the future and see that there will be a declining number of priests for our diocese, we have a responsibility to promote a new generation of priests. I am announcing for our diocese a Year of Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood. This special year of prayer will start on Pentecost Sunday, 28 May 2023, and will continue until Pentecost Sunday in 2024.
The promotion of vocations is happening in our Families of Parishes. They are working hard to become a missionary Church that forms disciples of Jesus, reaching out to families and young people, welcoming them to our parishes and inviting them to join us in our celebration of the Eucharist and our commitment to justice and service to those who are poor and in need. They are offering a variety of experiences which help our young people, and adults as well, discern that Jesus is truly present in their lives and making himself known to them, so that they can joyfully respond to his unique call to them. Those who set out on this journey are coming to our parishes to see the values of the Gospel lived out, to learn how to pray, to be accompanied and to receive spiritual guidance. We need to trust that as they grow in a personal relationship with Jesus and are inspired
by the priests whom they come to know, some of them will hear God calling them to the priesthood and respond with an open heart.
These efforts to promote vocations to the priesthood are important but most important is prayer. This Year of Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood reminds us of Jesus’ urgent call: “ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest”. His call is addressed to individuals, families, parishes, Catholic schools, and other faith communities in our diocese. Our first duty is to keep alive this appeal for unceasing prayer for vocations to the priesthood. I ask our parishes to offer Holy Hours, Eucharistic Adoration and Marian devotions. I ask our families to pray together, pray with the Scriptures, pray the Rosary, pray at mealtimes, bedtime, special moments and during the liturgical seasons.
The call of Peter occurred through the witness of his brother, Andrew, who spoke to him about his personal encounter with Jesus and then brought him to Jesus (John 1:35-42). We too can be instruments of God’s call. The call to the priesthood can be awakened through the witness of a parent, grandparent, friend, youth minister or teacher.
When priests tell their vocation story, almost always they relate how they were personally asked to consider the priesthood by their parish priest. Two of the Basilian priests who taught me in high school took me aside when I was in Grade 12 and invited me to consider becoming a Basilian. I urge you, my brother priests, to take seriously this most important role you have in promoting vocations. Make the promotion of vocations a priority in your Family of Parishes. Take advantage of opportunities to invite a young, or older, man to think about the priesthood. The joy you radiate, the witness you give of loving service, the dedication to your people, the holiness of your life, the fidelity to your vocation – all these qualities draw people to Christ and attract men to the priesthood.
I am asking you, the faithful of our diocese, to participate fully in this Year of Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood. Our Director of Vocations is making available excellent resources for parishes, families and schools. I note especially our diocesan prayer which will be a focus this year for our prayer for priestly vocations.
The Year of Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood is an expression of our hope, the hope we celebrate on Pentecost Sunday. We firmly believe that Jesus pours out the Holy Spirit on his Church and continues to call men to the priesthood.
May we open our hearts to the gifts of the Holy Spirit. May Mary, Mother of the Church, watch over the faithful of our diocese and those called to the priesthood, that we may manifest to the world the beauty of a life lived totally for God.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Rev. Ronald P. Fabbro, CSB
Bishop of London