During two recent events, I experienced strongly the action of the Holy Spirit animating and directing the Church in our Archdiocese. We know that the Holy Spirit is always dwelling within the Church, inspiring and strengthening every holy purpose and action, but there are times when the activity of the indwelling Holy Spirit is especially evident to us.
The first event was the Archbishop's Retreat for men who are hearing the call to the priesthood. The Retreat was held at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary from Friday evening, February 16, through Sunday afternoon, February 18. The second event was the Rite of Election for our catechumens and the Call to Continuing Conversion for our candidates for reception into the full communion of the Catholic Church. It took place at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis on this past February 24 and 25.
Archbishop's Retreat
Each year, around President's Day, I offer a retreat at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary for men who are hearing the call to the priesthood. For some, the call is quite clear to them, and they are, in fact, in the process of applying for admission to Kenrick-Glennon Seminary. Others are looking for the assistance of their Archbishop in knowing whether the call is sufficiently clear for them to begin seminary studies.
This year, thirty-one men participated in the Archbishop's Retreat. Of those who participated in the Archbishop's Retreat, it seems that some eighteen to twenty men will be entering Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in August of this year, either in the college seminary or the pre-theology program (for men who have a university degree but need to take additional courses in philosophy to prepare them for the study of theology) or the theologate (the final four years of study, during which a candidate is ordained to the transitional diaconate and, then, to the priesthood). Others, I am sure, will enter the seminary at a later time.
The chief components of the weekend are four spiritual conferences on the priesthood, which I give; and participation in daily Mass, Eucharistic adoration and the public praying of the Rosary. Priests are also available for Confession. Also, I meet with each participant individually for ten to fifteen minutes to discuss his possible call and to give him the occasion to ask questions of me.
An important aspect of the Retreat is the setting which is our Archdiocesan Seminary. The men have an initial experience of seminary life and are able to visit with our seminarians who welcome them with great hospitality. I was deeply impressed by how quickly the men formed a friendly and fraternal bond with each other and with the seminarians. The Holy Spirit draws the men together in their desire to respond to Christ's call with a pure and undivided heart.
The work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of so many young men who are hearing, in some way, the call to serve us as priests is a cause for great thanksgiving in the whole Archdiocese. I ask you to pray for these men, that they will know God's will and will have the courage to do whatever God is asking of them.
Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion
Our Archdiocesan catechumens (the unbaptized who are seeking to be baptized and confirmed, and to make their First Holy Communion) and candidates (the baptized who are seeking to be confirmed and to make their First Holy Communion) came to the Cathedral Basilica on this past Saturday and Sunday to take part in a special liturgical rite. The great number of catechumens and candidates necessitated three services, one on Saturday afternoon, one on Sunday afternoon, and one on Sunday evening. During the liturgical celebration, the catechumens were inscribed in the Book of the Elect, preparing them for the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist) at the Easter Vigil. The candidates were called to continue their preparation, so that they may be confirmed and receive Holy Communion, for the first time, at the Easter Vigil.
Both before and after the liturgical celebration, Bishop Robert Hermann and I had the opportunity to meet the catechumens, the candidates and their sponsors. Their joy in preparing to welcome Christ into their lives or to deepen their baptismal relationship with Christ was most inspiring. Their family members and their sponsors shared their joy. The Holy Spirit is clearly at work in the Archdiocese, drawing many to faith in Christ and to life in Him through the Sacraments. Please pray for our catechumens and candidates that they will persevere in responding to God's love for them in Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
It is my hope that the above reflections will lead you to consider the ways in which the Holy Spirit is at work in your personal life, in your home and in your parish. I hope also that they will lead you to pray for an ever greater obedience to all that the Holy Spirit inspires in you for the salvation of the world.
Once again, please pray for those who are hearing the call to be our future priests, and for those whom God is calling to receive the Easter Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist, at the Easter Vigil. God willing, they will soon be fully our brothers and sisters in the Church.