Letters

Vocation Prayers

Posted

To the Editor:

I was delighted to read (CNY, Feb. 6) of the homebound being called to pray for priestly vocations by the archdiocese’s Vocation Prayer Apostolate. We seniors, and some not so senior, are all impaled in some way with Jesus on the Cross, sharing sacrificially in redemptive suffering. Some are confined to the “tabernacle” of a nursing home, “locked in” so to speak, perhaps unable to move. This sacrificial impalement with Jesus is hugely empowered with spiritual benefits when accepted graciously.  

For about 10 years, with invaluable help from then-Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Catherine Hickey, I developed a prayerful vocation outreach called “Remember A Priest  Prayerfully.” RAPP in acronym, it was promoted at the Teachers Institutes at the invitation of Dr. Hickey where self-generated promotional material tried to get educators to encourage students to pray daily for priests by name with family members. It was not my assignment to know how successful RAPP was. I was called to simply scatter seeds that may take root sooner, or later, as God’s holy will designed.    

As St. Francis of Assisi lay dying, he said to the Brothers around him, “I have done my part, may Christ teach you yours!” I ask you, one and all, to do your part to make the archdiocese’s Vocation Prayer Apostolate a very fruitful venture replete with an abundance of priestly and religious vocations. We laity love our priests and religious. 

Bruce Snowden

Bronx