“Prayer for Vocations creates Ordinations”

Someone commented on facebook yesterday that she had always wanted to attend an Ordination, but had never been able to : and as I thought about it, I realized that although I have been to quite a number over the years, there’s one fundamental issue which has to be recognized . . . that Ordinations only occur where there are Vocations : hence the caption.

This weekend’s Ordination at Blackfriars was a wonderful, moving, and inspiring occasion; but it all started years ago when the three young men discerned their vocation to the Dominican life, as Friars Preachers, and as priests.

I for one was very conscious on Saturday of the presence of a new force against ‘the world, the flesh, and the devil’; in these new priests and deacon; and in these days it must be clear to all of us that this is something which we need increasingly.

So, it seems to me that we must all pray fervently for vocations – both to the priesthood, and to the religious life – not only so that we may have more opportunities for joy in the Ordinations which will result, but so that we can see more soldiers leading the fight for God’s truth and love in the world.

(Thanks to Rob Haines for the photo above of fr Lawrence Lew OP being ordained Deacon.)