Pope Francis' motto

Our new Pope's crest and motto have been released. The shield (above) contains symbols representing the Jesuits (top), Mary (the star) and St Joseph (the buds of a spikenard flower, bottom right).

The Pope's motto is very interesting - "having mercy, he called him". It's taken from a commentary on Christ's calling of St Matthew. The relevance of this to those who are discerning a religious vocation is striking. It's also very encouraging and is providing much food for thought for those of us working in the world of vocations promotion and direction...

I'm really looking forward to learning more about, and hearing more from, our new Pope.

Viva il Papa!

There is nothing like the election of a new Pope for drama and excitement!

This is already a Pope of "firsts" - the first Latin American Pope, the first Jesuit Pope, the first Pope Francis...

Already our new Holy Father is the focus of our prayer, affection and, indeed, curiosity.

Let us pray for him earnestly as he faces his daunting mission.

As a young man, Pope Francis said yes to the call of the Lord to follow Him as a member of a religious order. I encourage you too to answer the Lord's call with confidence.

vocation@PresentationBrothers.org

Respect for Nature...

Since I blogged yesterday I noticed that the Pope's General Prayer Intention for March 2013 concerns respect for nature.

The Apostleship of Prayer has produced the video (above) to help us reflect on the Holy Father's chosen theme.

Take a look!

Farewell to a Green Pope...

Among the many tributes paid to our retired Pope, Benedict XVI, have been those that highlighted his interest in ecological issues.

The Vatican made headlines a few years ago by installing photo-voltaic cells to power the running of several buildings with solar energy (see above). Benedict also mentioned that need to respect God's creation on several occasions. Some commentators suggested that he was the closest we have had to a "Green Pope".

All of this came to mind at the weekend as I attended a very informative and challenging workshop on eco-spirituality with twenty other Presentation Brothers. At an international gathering of our Brothers in 2011 we were called to live a lifestyle that is relevant and meaningful to the needs of people and the planet in the 21st century. Our attention was also focused on a spirituality of being in communion with God and his Creation.

At the weekend we explored what this means. We learned that this week is ‘Tree Week’ from March 3rd to March 9th. Trees are a beautiful and essential part of life on our planet. They are an important part of life on the planet.

The experience at the weekend reminded me again of the diversity that exists in religious life today. One week I'm at a prolife vigil defending the dignity of every human life, another week I'm at a conference on canon law and then I find myself at a seminar on ecology. Balance in our spirituality is important. On that note, if anyone wants to chat with me about a religious vocation, I'm always available at vocation@PresentationBrothers.org

Divine Mercy Conference 2013

 

With Ms Ann-Marie Gallagher, Director of Vocations Ireland.

I spent much of the weekend at the Divine Mercy Conference at the RDS in Dublin. It brought back so many happy memories of the Eucharistic Congress from last June!

The Divine Mercy Conference drew thousands of people who gathered to listen to testimonies and talks, and attend Mass and a healing service. There was a great spirit of prayer throughout the weekend. The Chaplet of Divine Mercy and the Rosary were prayed with great devotion. I wasn't the only Presentation Brother to attend - Brother Mark from our community in Dublin was there too.

I volunteered to help at the Vocations Ireland stand and it was great to meet people at different stages of their discernment. Many were thinking about religious life for the first time and were wondering, "where do I start?" Others seemed to have discerned that religious life was for them and were now discerning what congregation's charism was drawing them most.

The Divine Mercy motto is "Jesus, I trust in you". I was thinking of this a lot over the weekend. It has an obvious resonance for those discerning a religious vocation. We can always trust that the path which the Lord has prepared for us is the right one. We just need the guidance and the courage to follow it.

If you ever want to talk about the vocation of a religious brother, feel free to shoot me an email at vocation@presentationbrothers.org

A Pope retires as Lent begins

The legacy of Pope Benedict XVI by Fr Robert Barron

It has been an eventful week. Our Holy Father's announcement on Monday came as a tremendous surprise. Our immediate reaction ought to be an expression of spiritual solidarity with the Pope. We should pray for him during these days of emotion and challenge.

On Wednesday we began our Lenten journey which will end with the joy of the resurrection. For anyone discerning a vocation, this is a wonderful time of year to focus on one's prayer life and to make a determined effort to foster an ever deeper relationship with the Lord.

It is the Lord who calls.

Vocations in the spring

The beginning of February is traditionally associated with the heralding of the start of spring and the arrival of fertility to the land. The land dormant during the winter months, begins to stir and new life embarks on its journey towards the light. Precious seeds, deep within the soil are germinating, awaiting the breath of spring to accompany them to the earth’s surface.

These are days when we are invited into our own spring space – a space where new life is stirring, awakening and becoming, a space full of potential and possibility. These are days of rebirth and re-growth, of renewal and resurrection. Then with their first appearance they adorn the earth with their beautiful presence and remind us of resurrection.

A few days ago we marked the feast of St. Brigid, patroness of Ireland, and we celebrated this great woman of prayer and her great devotion to God and neighbour. She dedicated her life to God and to the poor. She became known for her good works and many young women were inspired to join her.

The following day, feast of the Presentation of the Lord, was also World Day for Consecrated Life. We paused to remember and celebrate the many priests, brothers and sisters whose faith, devotion and commitment influenced many of our lives. We remember too the young men and women who are discerning a call to priesthood or religious life at this time. We pray for them all and thank God for their lives of quiet dedication.

At the beginning of spring, maybe now's the time to go deeper in your discernment journey...

I'm always available at vocation@presentationbrothers.org if you'd like more information.

[Adapted from Finola Cunnane SSL, Intercom]