'Come and see'

Monday, November 26, 2012

*Father David Zirilli - Vocations Office

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Photographer: COURTESY PHOTO

Participants at the Vocations Awareness Weekend have some fun on the athletic field.

During the weekend of November 9-11, St. John Vianney College Seminary hosted its semi-annual Vocations Awareness Weekend. This �come and see� weekend is held every November and March and is designed to give young men discerning the priesthood an experience of a �day in the life� of a seminarian. There were over 70 guests in attendance from every diocese in Florida, including 13 from the Archdiocese of Miami.

The weekend includes the daily celebration of holy Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours and other liturgies of the Church with the seminarians; informational seminars with the faculty and staff about the priestly formation program; round table discussions with the seminarians about various aspects of seminary life; socials and sports with the seminarians; and plenty of time for personal reflection and prayer on the peaceful grounds of St. John Vianney.

Most of our current seminarians were at one time guests at a previous Vocations Awareness Weekend, and for many of them, attending this event was a turning point in their vocational journey. Our guests discover that the Lord calls men of diverse backgrounds and different personalities; they see that each man offers to the Lord whatever gifts he possesses, all for the glory of God and the good of his Church; they see seminarians who are people just like themselves, called by Jesus to be �fishers of men.�

Photographer: COURTESY PHOTO

Father David Zirilli discusses aspects of the priesthood and seminary life with participants at the Vocations Awareness Weekend.

Among the comments we consistently hear each time we have guests at the seminary is surprise and gladness to see how happy the seminarians are. It�s true, and it�s a sign that they are doing exactly what the Lord is calling them to do. The seminarians work hard and are challenged in many ways, academically and spiritually, in their formation. Yet they have the constant consolation from God of knowing they are following the path that the Lord has laid out for them, and that joy cannot be contained!

Our visitors also comment about the friendships they see among the seminarians. The men do not walk the path of priestly formation alone; they are supported constantly by their brother seminarians, with whom they share their struggles and joys, as well as their doubts and their faith. They pray with each other and for each other, and through their shared experiences, they form bonds of friendship and brotherhood that last through seminary, through ordination and beyond.

Photographer: COURTESY PHOTO

St. John Vianney College Seminary faculty celebrate Mass during the semi-annual Vocations Awareness Weekend.

Our next Vocations Awareness Weekend will take place next March 15-17, 2013. But don�t wait! If you hear the voice of the Lord calling you to the holy and joy-filled ministry of a priest or if you have questions and want to learn more about seminary life and the priesthood of Jesus Christ, feel free to contact me directly at the Vocations Office - by phone at 305-762-1137 or by email at [email protected].

�I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word.� This was the response of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the invitation of God as he revealed to her the special vocation to which he had called her. Through her prayers, may each of you respond to the Lord�s call with the same generosity and faith, the same courage and love.

Comments from readers

Mary Sturm - 11/26/2012 12:08 PM: This is an excellent article about the seminary and the joy we saw on our recent visit from at St Gregory the Great 5th graders. Thank God for the men who are there and we pray for the men waiting to hear the Call. May they say "Yes" as Mary did!