Answering The Call

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I; send me!”
—Is 6:8 (NRSV)

ONCE UPON A TIME …

Few things give us more joy than being able to encourage young Catholics TO discern their vocation and respond to it. We were privileged recently to play a small part in the celebration of the completion of the “Theology” phase for 12 (soon-to-be) new priests in the Catholic Church.

Here’s the story behind our story. Let’s talk!

BACKGROUND …

Way back when … perhaps a year or so ago … the office of Vocations Director for the Diocese of Charleston posted a picture or two of some of our seminarians at the St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, in Boynton Beach FL. (Thanks, Jean-Marie for posting that information.) We did what we naturally do when we have a few moments — we picked up our pen and started to draw. And of course, as we draw, we prayed. Studying faces and drawing them (our way) is a big part of our daily prayer life here at Catholic Roads.

Anyway …

One of the young seminarians at SVDP saw the caricature on social media many months later and contacted us. He (and perhaps some of his classmates too) had an idea for “roasting” their friends who were about to be ordained as priests. And it included some caricatures!

What were we going to do!?!? How would we respond?

“Yes, of course!” we replied. “We would love to be a co-conspirator in that celebration!”

And so it began.

THE STORY BEHIND THE STORIES …

On and off, for several months, we had distant conversations with Peter, our fellow conspirator inside the walls of the SVDP seminary. He helped us get pictures and even told us some inside stories that would add humor to the artwork.

Now, before we go any further with this little article, let’s be clear about something. The story that we told in our video (see below) is an “Almost True Story.” By that, we mean, there are elements of truth (the guys depicted are real people in a real seminary), but otherwise, we throw in some “factoids” that are not-exactly-accurate-or-true. In other words, the story is fiction.

What makes stories like the one below in our video fun and funny is that the “factoids” are based on inside jokes that all the seminarians know about. And it’s funny to them. Most people watching it will enjoy it, but it’s likely that you will not get the jokes.

And that’s okay with us!

So the guys all had their end-of-year dinner together and “toasted and roasted” the fellows who were graduating from the “Theology” phase of priestly formation, soon to become real and actual priests in the Catholic Church.

OUR PRIVILEGE TO SERVE …

We are so proud of you guys and the many other men in other seminaries who are also about to become priests in places all around the world. We thank you for saying yes to God when He called you to the priesthood. And we are praying for those in seminary behind you who are making their way to ordination, as well.

EXHORTATION TO YOUNG CATHOLICS …

A final word to our readers, especially the young men and women out there who might be discerning a priestly or religious vocation for their lives. Do the discernment!

We’re not all that smart. God seems to have called us mostly to draw funny pictures that hopefully draw people to Christ. We don’t know what God is saying to you or why. But we do know that God is calling you to something. He has a plan and purpose for your life (Jer 29:11-12). And when you answer His call, whether to be a priest, a husband and father, or a single person consecrated to the will of God, God’s plan is going to be a great adventure for you.

So, as the prophet Isaiah once said, “Here am I, Lord. Send me!” (Is 6:8)

You can trust God with your life!

Just do it — whatever He might be telling you.

THAT’S OUR STORY …

That’s our story and we’re sticking to it.

The video we did to help these young men as they take their next step in life is on this page above. If you haven’t watched it, pleased do. We are also attaching copies of the caricatures we did for each of them.

Vivat Jesus!