Dominican Sisters of the Immaculate Conception

Good spiritual counsel and thoughtful parents go far in helping a young person discern a calling to religious life or the priesthood, Pope Benedict XVI said at his Jan. 15 Sunday Angelus address.

“I would like to emphasize the critical role of spiritual guidance in the journey of faith and, in particular, in response to the vocation of special consecration for the service of God and his people,” the Pope said.

A “Big Brother” Important

“God’s call to follow Jesus more closely, giving up forming their own family to dedicate themselves to the great family of the Church, is normally done through the testimony and proposal from a ‘big brother,’ usually a priest.”

Also instrumental in the process, the Holy Father said, were parents, “who by their genuine faith and joyful married love, show children that it is beautiful and possible to build all your life on the love of God.”

The Pope spoke from his apartment high above St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican, and reflected how, in the reading of that day, the Gospel tells that John the Baptist identified Jesus as “the Lamb of God” on the banks of the River Jordan. Thus he acted in the “role of mediator,” leading two of his disciples to discern that they must now follow Christ.

Another mediator, as shown in the first reading of the day’s Mass, is the high priest Eli who advises Samuel that it is God, and not he who is calling him in the night. Samuel takes his advice and, on the fourth occasion of being called, replies, “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.”

The Pope concluded his comments by entrusting all educators, “especially priests and parents,” to the Virgin Mary as they help young people discern their vocation in life.

Read the complete article in the National Catholic Register.

Read also on this website, Formation With the Dominican Sisters.

A new video by the Dominican Sisters features an encouraging quote of Pope Benedict XVI. Here is the text of the video:

Video script: “By embracing the Lord’s call to follow Him in chastity, poverty and obedience, you have begun a journey of radical discipleship which will make you ‘signs of contradiction’ (cf. Luke 2:34) to many of your contemporaries. Model your lives daily on the Lord’s own loving self-oblation in obedience to the will of the Father. You will then discover the freedom and joy which can draw others to the Love which lies beyond all other loves as their source and their ultimate fulfillment.

“Never forget that celibacy for the sake of the Kingdom means embracing a life completely devoted to love, a love that enables you to commit yourselves fully to God’s service and to be totally present to your brothers and sisters, especially those in need. (Pope Benedict XVI, July 19, 2008) Read entire address at the Sydney Cathedral at World Youth Day, at Catholic Culture.”

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The following is the voice-over for our new video of three quotes of Pope Benedict XVI about the consecrated life.

1) “Dear young people, if the Lord calls you to live more intimately at His service, respond generously. You may be certain: life dedicated to God is never spent in vain.”  (To young people in Italy, Sept. 8, 2007. Read entire address at Catholic Culture.)

2) “Today, as in all ages, there is no lack of generous souls ready to give up everyone and everything to embrace Christ and His Gospel, consecrating their existence to His service within communities characterized by enthusiasm, generosity and joy.” (Reflection on Consecrated Life, Feb. 17, 2008. Read entire address on Catholic Culture.)

3) “When we give ourselves to Christ, we receive a hundredfold in return. Yes, open wide the doors to Christ and you will find true life.” (Talk at World Youth Day, April 24, 2005. Read address on World Youth Day for Pilgrims.)

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Sr. Maria Vianney makes her first profession recently.

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