Future priests are sitting 

in the pews, pray for them

On June 23, 2001 Pete Elizardo and Patrick Serna were ordained priests at the Corpus Christi Cathedral. Today they are inspiring other young men to pursue a vocation in the priesthood.

“Those that are most likely to seek or pursue a priestly or religious vocation are those that have been chosen by God, Himself, and those that have been encouraged by either their parish priest and/or a family member,” Father Joseph Lopez, JCL Vocations Director for the Diocese of Corpus Christi said.

In the case of Charles Silvas, one of the newest seminarians for the diocese, it was Father Elizardo, Rector at the Cathedral, who inspired his interest in the priesthood. Father Serna was the guiding force for first year seminarian Margarito Trevino III, while he was Pastor at St. Michael the Archangel in Banquete. Both seminarians also said their respective grandmothers provided the family support in their discernment.

Silvas, in his first year at St. Joseph Seminary in Louisiana, said “the way they simply live their lives” was Father Elizardo’s and his grandmothers’ inspiration.

“Father Patrick made the faith come alive and more real for me,” Trevino said. “My grandmothers showed me that you didn’t need to be doing great things, they showed me how lives can be changed through patient prayer. My parents instilled in me the love parents have for their children through all the ups and downs that daily life has.”

Parish priests have also played an important role in the discernment and formation of the other 10 diocesan seminarians.

The Catholic Church in the United States will celebrate National Vocation Awareness Week Jan. 13-19. This is a time for parishes to consider their role in promoting the formation of priests, deacons and religious order brothers and sisters deciding on their future. 

“National Vocation Awareness Week gives dioceses and parishes across the country a chance to promote vocations through prayer and education,” said Archbishop Robert Carlson, chairman of the Bishops’ Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations. “This is especially important in this Year of Faith and as the Church continues to focus on the New Evangelization. Vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life are essential in the Church’s mission of spreading the joy and love of Jesus Christ. Our world and culture needs the Good News of Christ more than ever.”

Father Lopez points to four things families, friends and parish communities can do to promote and support those seeking to enter priestly or religious vocations. The first is to “pray.”

“Unfortunately, often times we undervalue the power of prayer. Pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life.  Our Lord tells us in Matthew, Chapter 9, ‘to beg the Master of the harvest to send laborers into the vineyard.’ If we want more priests and sisters, we all need to ask.”

The second thing that must be done is to “teach” young people how to pray.  “Unless we teach our youth how to pray, they will never hear God calling them into a deeper relationship with Him and into the discipleship of the Church,” Father Lopez said.

Third, “invite” active young adults and teens to consider a vocation to the priesthood and the consecrated life.  A simple, yet, sincere and private comment should never be underestimated.
 
Finally, people need to “talk” about vocations regularly so that a “culture of vocations” takes root in parishes and homes.  “This means, first and foremost, the people need to hear about vocations from our homilies, prayers of the faithful and discussions in the classrooms.  Vocations kept out of sight are out of mind,” Father Lopez said.

The “call” to a priestly or religious vocation takes many forms and may come at any age. It takes some longer than others to respond positively to God’s call.  There is not a set time in one’s life to “think” about a vocation. 

“God has called us to a particular vocation from the time before we were born.  It is not we who choose Him, it is He who chooses us to go and bear fruit that will last,” Father Lopez said, citing the Gospel of John.

He said there are a number of questions that if one answers “yes” then they may have a vocation to priesthood or consecrated life. Do you feel called to give more or be more? Does your relationship with God sustain you, enliven you and invigorate you in such a way that you want to share the Good News with others? Does the idea of becoming a priest or sister keep coming back to mind time and time again? Do you feel a recurring tug in your heart to serve others more?

“Remain connected to the power of the sacraments, especially Holy Eucharist and the sacrament of Confession,” said Michael Quesada, a third year theology student at St. Mary Seminary in Houston. “These are powerful instruments that strengthen our souls for service to others.”

A full and outright life commitment is required to faithfully and fruitfully live out one’s vocation to priesthood and consecrated life.  The rewards most definitely outnumber the sacrifices when living out God’s call to these vocations. 

“For a priest to be able to bring about the Body and Blood of Christ from the simple gifts of bread and wine; to forgive sins as commanded by Jesus Christ; to bring peace to a world that is constantly plagued with violence; to give understanding to a society that is almost always confused, to be that conduit between God and man are far more gratifying than the sacrifice of oneself for the sake of the kingdom of God,” he said.

It takes between six to eight years for those pursuing a vocation to diocesan priesthood. Currently, the Diocese of Corpus Christi has 12 men studying for the priesthood. In addition to Silvas and Trevino, Oscar Chaparro, Richard Gutierrez, and Ramiro Regalado are also attending St. Joseph Seminary. Others at the undergraduate and pre-theology level include James Hernandez and Joshua Stevens who attend Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving. Seminarians at the graduate or theology level are David Bayardo, Deacon Christopher Becerra, Michael Quesada and Freddy Villarreal at St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston and Eric Chapa at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.

Every Catholic young man should seriously consider priesthood as an option, Father Lopez said. If one feels he is being called to a life as a priest, he should approach his parish priest and share with him his thoughts. If this is not possible, for whatever reason, he can contact Father Lopez at [email protected] or on twitter @Fr_JosephLopez.

Women thinking about a life in consecrated life should contact Sister Annette Wagner, IWBS at [email protected] or the religious order of their interest. Men considering the permanent diaconate should contact Deacon Michael Mantz at [email protected].

Vocations to the priesthood and the consecrated life are the heartbeat of the Church. Asked how many priests does the diocese need to sustain current and future needs, Father Lopez said, “The Church does not need ‘numbers.’  We as the Church need to continue to foster good and holy priests.”

“The priesthood is a call, not a career; a redefinition of self, not just a new ministry; a way of life, not a job; a state of being, not just a function; a permanent, lifelong commitment, not a temporary style of service; an identity, not just a role,” Father Lopez said.

“Our future priests are out there.  They are sitting in the pews. We just need to support and encourage them,” he said.