The recent launch of a dedicated year for vocations to the Catholic diocesan priesthood is a daring one in these times.
Some might say that the response to this initiative will be poor, but for others such as myself - perhaps biased as the mother of a seminarian in Maynooth – the feeling is one of “be not afraid”.
Throughout my life I have met many wonderful priests. These inspiring men of all ages give me hope for our priests of the future. They are a pastoral force to be reckoned with: engaging, clever, funny, very much in tune with the people they meet and good listeners. They are eager to serve and to work hard in order to help solve problems for those in need.
More fundamentally, they are spiritually grounded. What I observe in those who are discerning their vocation and treading the boards of their sacrificial life is a commitment to prayer and an openness to taking advice from the wise, older priests and laity. They are eager to learn, while authentically following the teachings of Christ.
One of these seminarians I know very well. He is my son Anthony. I had 13 children, five sons, three daughters and five miscarried babies. In 1990 one of my sons, Peter, died of cystic fibrosis at the age of seven. Peter’s by now famous remark was spoken to a nurse near the end of his life at Harefield Hospital, England. He politely asked the nurse who was remaking his bed, “my cross is my cough; what’s yours?”
Suffering, in people’s lives, is rarely a stranger. Some share, others rarely speak of it, but its effect can be life changing, one way or another.
Peter was baptised in Twickenham, Middlesex, and his life was one of great suffering and courage, which inspired many. His experience of meeting priests was positive and he especially loved a great priest friend of ours who ministered to him through the sacraments of First Holy Communion, Confirmation and his anointing and burial in Bray.Peter admired the ministry of priesthood and laughed a lot with priests, especially when on pilgrimage to Lourdes and to Međugorje. And this is how it should be. Catholic priests are called to exemplary living and behaviour.
Unfortunately, our times have been ravaged by the unthinkable. Abuse is a dark period in our world’s history. For survivors, it is a terrible path to endure, to walk, to remember and especially to forgive. To be betrayed by the very profession that is meant to love, support and protect every human being strikes at the heart and leaves a terrible wound. The Christian response is to pray for survivors and support them wholeheartedly, and to safeguard our community.
In my life, prayer has been essential to move forward, in a fulfilled way, so as to develop wholesome attitudes to gain essential healing. Prayer is central to the life of the seminarian who faces a daily challenge to get it right on his journey to become a faithful spiritual leader.
Priestly ordination is dramatic, and publicly expressed as such, as each seminarian lies prostrate on the altar before our Lord. We all pray for a a pastor after God’s heart. This is the greatest gift to a parish and the most precious gift of divine mercy. Our family has been privileged to experience the joyful culmination of all the years of Anthony’s study, prayer and service.
For us it is reassuring to reflect on the words of St John Mary Vianney, who had a rich understanding of the mystery of priesthood, when he said: “the priest holds the key to the treasures of heaven: it is he who opens the door: he is the steward of the good Lord; the administrator of his goods.”
When I was younger, I prayed at different times for each child in my womb. I asked God to guide each in accordance with His will regarding all their various unknown gifts, praying that each would be true to his or her call whatever that might be. My prayers are answered and I have been blessed for sure.
As I finish my writing I hear the strike of the Angelus bell.
Yvonne Maria Catherine Hartnett is a wife, mother and grandmother. A former student of fine art, and teacher, she paints to raise money for the Mary Meals charity and lives in Co Donegal, Catholic diocese of Raphoe.