World Youth Day begins

The 26th World Youth Day opens in Madrid this evening.

Many people will tell you that they heard more clearly the voice of Christ calling them to religious life during a World Youth Day.

Let us pray that God will bless the young people gathering in Madrid, their supervisors, the organisers and our Holy Father who will arrive on Thursday.

You can listen to the World Youth Day hymn, "Firm in the Faith", below....

Vision 2012 Discernment Guide

The front cover of Vision 2012

I received in the post today Vision 2012 - the Discernment Guide published by the National Religious Vocations Conference (NRVC) in America. This publication comes out every year and is circulated across the USA and other countries. In this year's issues there is an article I wrote about my call to religious life. As I re-read it this morning, one line stood out:

"After two decades as a brother I can honestly say that this is a life of potential and promise, of excitement and adventure".

I would recommend any person discerning a vocation to get a copy and reflect on the stories of the contributors and their decision to answer the call to follow Christ. You can see the magazine here.

What is our vocation?

Mary's Assumption by Rubens

The past few days have been a reminder to me of what a true vocation is all about.

I attended the funeral mass of a husband and wife who died 48 hours apart. They were devoted to each other and their family for over 50 years - it was a true vocation. Their calling was to be a married couple. May they rest in peace.

We are all called to a vocation in life (be it married, religious/priesthood or single), but we must listen to the call of God and try to be true to it.

Vocation is a calling and we should answer this call just as the Virgin Mary did when the Angel appeared to her and told her that she would be the Mother of Jesus. How many of us listen with an open mind, an open heart and an open will to this call and follow Mary's example?

I will celebrate 24 years in religious life on the 15th August, the Feast of the Assumption, and I want to thank God and His Blessed Mother for giving me the strength and courage to continue with my vocation.

Our Lady of the Presentation, pray for us.

First Professions in Dublin!

Br Cletus kneels as he makes his first profession of vows

We had a great celebration in Dublin recently when three young men made their First Profession at the end of our Congregation Chapter at the Emmaus Retreat and Conference Centre in Swords.

Br Andrew Saul (Our Lady of the Americas Province), Br Cletus Gubil (West Africa Province) and Br Philip Tengan (West Africa Province) had completed their novitiate and were ready to make a one year commitment to the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.

Needless to say it was a joyful occasion and it was wonderful to see these three young men take the next step on their vocation journey.

You can see some photos from the event on our congregation website

A time to pause...

I haven't been posting very much lately.

My father went to his Eternal Reward recently. After the initial shock and deep sadness at losing a parent there has been plenty of work at home over the last few weeks.

I ask you to keep me in the prayers and pray for the happy repose of my dad, Raymond.

Talk soon.

InVocation 2011

This weekend hundreds of young adults will gather at Oscott College in Birmingham for the second annual InVocation discernment festival.

Our Communications Director, Andrew O'Connell, will be speaking there.

Let's keep all the young people who attend in our prayers. Let's pray that the experiences and prayers of the weekend will make their path clearer and their decision easier.

You can read all about it on the official website.

Who are you becoming...?

This clip portrays pretty well what many discerners experience as they struggle to figure out what it is that God is calling them to do with their lives.
I'll return to it again over the next few days but for now just take a look...