It is
impossible to exaggerate the close relation between the Holy Eucharist
and vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
This is
only to be expected once we realize that every vocation is a special
grace from God, and the greatest source of grace we have is the
Eucharist as Presence, Sacrifice, and Communion.
Faith tells
us that Christ is really present on our altars, that He really offers
Himself in the Mass, and that we really receive Him in Holy Communion.
In each case, the Living Christ is now inspiring men and women to give
themselves to Him with all their hearts and follow Him in the extension
of His Kingdom.
The
Eucharist, therefore, is the best way to foster vocations. This means
that persons who attend Mass, receive Communion and invoke Christ in the
Blessed Sacrament obtain light and strength that no one else has a claim
to.
The
Eucharist is also the best way to recognize vocations. Show me a man or
woman devoted to the Eucharist and I will show you a person who is an
apt subject for the priesthood or the religious life.
The
Eucharist is finally the infallible way of preserving one's vocation.
This is especially true of devotion to the Real Presence. Is it any
wonder that saintly priests and religious over the centuries have been
uncommonly devoted to the Blessed Sacrament? They know where to obtain
the help they need to remain faithful to their vocations. It is from the
same Christ Who called them and Who continues to sustain them in His
consecrated service.
Vocations
begin with the Eucharist; they are developed through the Eucharist; and
they are preserved by the Eucharist. All of this is true because the
Eucharist is Jesus Christ, still on earth, working through men and women
whom He calls to share His Plan for salvation.
Copyright
(c) 1980
Society for Religious Vocations |