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Why would any young man contemplate the priesthood in the 21st century? An old spiritual director of mine would ask: “Why wouldn’t they?”

Earlier this month, 72 young men came to St. John Vianney College Seminary for our bi-annual Vocation Awareness Weekend. Now stop for a second and think about that. Some people cannot grasp that in this day and age there are actually that many young men throughout central and southern Florida who are pondering the possibility of a vocation to the priesthood. These are young men who have a deep love for Christ and the Church and are wondering if in fact the Good Shepherd is calling them to be a priest. There is a longing in their hearts not only to do the will of God but to do something radical for Christ. To embark on the great adventure of priesthood is to embark on a heroic journey which is very appealing to young men.

While celebrating confirmations throughout the archdiocese, Archbishop Favalora likes to ask our young people, “Who are your spiritual heroes?” The archbishop is on to something here because there is a longing in our young people to dedicate their lives to a heroic cause. Notice the recent popularity of superhero movies like “The Dark Knight” and the phenomenon of the television show “Heroes” (a favorite of our seminarians) which has the tagline “ordinary people doing extraordinary things.”

We belong to a generation that has been shaped by spiritual heroes like John Paul II and Mother Teresa — two ordinary people from humble beginnings who dedicated their lives to doing the extraordinary. We don’t need a comic book, a movie, or a television show to see heroism on display. More and more young men are beginning to find that heroism behind our pulpits and our altars. Every heroic journey from Odysseus in Greek mythology to the mythos of Superman to the journey of the disciples of the Lord involves sacrifice and leaving something behind for something greater than ourselves.

This transcendence and longing to make a difference is precisely what appeals to these young men who dare to ask, “Could God actually be calling me to the priesthood?” They see the priest as someone who makes Christ present in the lives of the faithful through the celebration of the Eucharist and through his very presence. They see the quiet heroism that our priests exhibit on a daily basis, a heroism that the media regularly ignores. But above all, what sets these young men apart is the courage and conviction in their hearts not only to follow the voice of the Good Shepherd, but to be transformed into the image of Christ, our High Priest.

There is no greater heroic love than what Christ did for you and me on the cross 2000 years ago. This is the love our seminarians and those pondering a vocation aspire to. They are ready to lay down their lives, like Christ, for you and me. We couldn’t ask for better heroes.

Father Manny Alvarez
Archdiocesan vocations director

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Comments from readers

Jan Rayburn - 11/19/2008 11:19 AM
Father Manny Alvarez,
Your blog, "Priesthood is for heroes," presents vocations in a romantic, yet dramatic light that would be very inticing to young people, who may not quite have a handle on identifying their aspirations. Your analogy with current movie and television themes is, while I find accurate, probably a correlation few young people have made. Perhaps you should take your show on the road to our high schools. Take some movie theater popcorn with you.
Father Manny - 11/18/2008 03:33 PM
Thanks for the comments Gloria! By the way, great job a couple of weeks ago on the blog.

As to your question about whether or not I was overwhelmed when I saw what awaited me after ordination. Of course I was. Who would'nt be? I was ordained during a time when the Church needed healing and there was great comfort in knowing that with Christ at my side I was going to be an instrument in that healing process.

Every day requires a total surrender to God's will. It cannot occur just at the moment one decides to folllow God's call or on Ordination Day. It must happen daily. And this is the call and vocation of every Christian when confronted with the challenges our world presents. Priests cannot build the kingdom of God on their own. We need more and more courageous lay people to proclaim the Gospel through word and action in their jobs, schools, and homes. There is so much that we can accomplish as Catholics. All we have to do is follow His voice. So abandon yourself to the will of the Lord and watch Him do great things through you.
Gloria Luna - 11/18/2008 01:15 PM
Fr. Manny,
thank you for your reflection. It is no overstatement to think of our priests, and all those that follow the path of their vocation, as heroes. Anyone that answers to the loving and persistant call from God despite the noise prevelant in our culture, is certainly extraordinary.

I especially love this phrase, "Every heroic journey from Odysseus in Greek mythology to the mythos of Superman to the journey of the disciples of the Lord involves sacrifice and leaving something behind for something greater than ourselves."

Challenging words during these times when we are encouraged, "to look out for ourselves." Were you ever overwhelmed by the needs awaiting your ordination? How did you overcome these feelings?

My prayers are with you, all our priests, our seminarians and all those discerning where God is calling them in their lives. I pray that God grant all of you courage... and that as a community of faith we can support you.

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