Category: Pastor’s Corner

A diocesan priest will make three promises to the church standing before his bishop. He promises to pray daily the Liturgy of the Hours, which includes passages from the psalms and Scripture. This is to keep him very close to God. Secondly, the diocesan priest promises to obey and be loyal to his bishop. His bishop guides the priest and the priest ministers where the bishop asks him to serve. He does not represent the church differently than his bishop would. Thirdly, the priest promises to live a celibate life so that he can completely give his own life to Christ, the church–the people whom he has been called to serve. God gives him special graces to live this calling.

The diocesan priest lives and works in a certain geographical area called a diocese. Most often, a diocesan priest is assigned to a parish by the bishop, and he lives and works in that area. He does not make a promise of poverty, and usually owns a car and other possessions in order to fulfill his duties and live independently. His main work is preaching the Gospel, offering Mass, anointing the sick and dying, baptizing, celebrating marriages, burying the dead and consoling those who need his help. He is focused on the needs of those in his parish.

A religious priest makes three solemn vows even before he is ordained. In poverty, He owns nothing or very little, and shares things in common with others in his community–such as a place to live and a car. He vows obedience to his religious superior who may ask him to minister far away or have a particular role in the community. Finally, the religious priest vows chastity, which, like the diocesan priest, means he will not get married and have sexual relations.

These three vows of poverty, chastity and obedience–are called the “evangelical counsels.” Interestingly, the Catechism teaches that every Christian is called to live the counsels to some degree, though religious priests live them in a “more intimate” way. (CCC #916)

A person chooses a religious community based on its lifestyle, charisma or mission. Some communities live very austerely while others do not. Some have missions with the elderly, youth or the poor. Some serve as teachers in schools or evangelists in other countries. Some are contemplatives or silent. Most often they live in Monastic community with each other instead of in a parish setting. The Vocationist Fathers try to have at least three religious in each community.

Is one “better” or “holier” than another? Absolutely not. The right vocation for a particular man is simply a matter of where God is calling him to serve.

Please, help to promote Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life. Thank you for your assistance in promoting vocations in our Catholic Church and helping the Religious Priests. Our Lord has provided plenty of work in His vineyard. For more information contact one of the priests of our parish.

Dear parishioners of Saint Patrick parish Community, in order for all to have a better knowledge of the Vocationist Fathers and Sisters, their spirituality and field of work, we are going to place in the bulletin on a weekly basis for a while the catechism of the Society of Divine Vocations (a.k.a -Vocationist Fathers)

Catechism of the Society of Divine Vocations – ( Chapter Nine )

81. Does not one get the impression that our rules are exceedingly complicated, our duties too numerous and our activities too extensive?
They would not only look excessive, but they would really be such if all rules, activities and duties were meant for the single religious however, since they concern the Congregation as a whole, they are not excessive.

82. What do we mean when we say: our works, rules and duties concern the whole Congregation and not a single subject?
We mean that, among all the works, rules and duties through which the Congregation strives to lead to universal sanctification, only some of them are common to and mandatory for all; the rest are restricted to a single individual, so that everyone may and ought to specialize in on of them only.

83. How do we explain the criterion for the distribution of our observances, functions and works?
Every single subject, barring those duties that are common to every faithful, the religious and those who are ordained, is to be committed—permanently or at least for a continuous period of three years—solely to one activity of our Congregation, and will simultaneously fulfill only few other functions. Meanwhile, during his work, he will be bound only by those religious observances that are more in conformity with and helpful for his work and assignment.

84. Is, this specialization in one of our activities and in a few of our functions, contingent on Superior’s will or on the subject’s choice?
This specialization remotely is contingent on the personal ability and on the choice of the subject, and proximately depends both, on the Superior’s will and on the wisdom of obedience. All these elements put together form everyone’s specific vocation in the great common vocation.

85. Why does our Congregation include so many activities, functions and observances?
Our Congregations is essentially clerical, and therefore it can and ought to extend itself to every possible priestly apostolate, including all the activities of the priestly ministry, always mindful of the Lord’s revelation: “In domo Patris mei mansions multae sunt”, in my Father’s house there are many mansion”.

86. How is it possible to achieve the formation and training for every activity and function of our Congregation?
Our Formation and training is basically the same as the Holy Church imparts to Levites, who aspire to priestly ministry.

87. If our formation and training is identical to the one administered to the diocesan clergy, how do we identify ourselves as religious?
Our congregation adds, to the formation and training of the diocesan clergy, one year of novitiate, two years of apprenticeship and two years of advanced training; during these periods, a specific formation and training for the single activities and functions can well be administered.

88. Can we see some danger of fragmentation and schism between the various classes and categories of Religious?
This danger certainly is not any more real than elsewhere, when we name the places of our activities; note how these names well describe the different programs and ideals of each function, and how these functions well correspond to the different elements of the work of sanctification. 89. Why have we decided to train and use specialists even in the spiritual field? We have been compelled to do that both, by the universal principle that “ad plura intentus, minor est ad singula sensus”, a sense that tries to care about a variety of things loses its strength in its care for a single activity”, and much more by the words of the Lord: “Non sum missus nisi ad oves quae perierant domus Israel”, “I have been sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel”, and also by St. Paul’s words: “Non misit me Dominus baptizare, sed evangelizare”, “The Lord did not sent me to baptize, but to evangelize”.

90. By which common bond are our religious unified in the midst of all these distinctions?
They are unified in their common goal of worship, apostolate and achievement of the Divine Union, which consists in the spreading of the ascetical Catholic teachings through holy books and the practice of the lives of the Saints, in a spirit of universal service and in the devotion to the Holy Trinity and in the fidelity to the inspirations

Dear parishioners of Saint Patrick parish Community, in order for all to have a better knowledge of the Vocationist Fathers and Sisters, their spirituality and field of work, we are going to place in the bulletin on a weekly basis for a while the catechism of the Society of Divine Vocations (a.k.a -Vocationist Fathers)

Catechism of the Society of Divine Vocations – ( Chapter Eight )

71. What is the field and what are the areas of work for the universal sanctification in our Congregation?
Our Congregation considers the entire world as the field for the universal sanctification, and to that effect calls it “the Grand Shrine”; however the Congregation works more directly for the sanctification of the souls in its own residence, schools, parishes and missions.

72. Under which name do we identify these various areas of work of our Congregation?
In a language reserved only to our Society, we call “Perfectionary” every religious house, “Vocationary” every school, “Ascensionary” every Parish, “Religionary” every foreign mission committed to us.

73. What do we mean by all these names which sound still very uncommon or even strange?
By the name of “Perfectionary”, we indicate those houses where the real workers for universal sanctification are formed. By the name of “Vocationary”, we indicate those houses where we cultivate vocations. By the name of “Ascensionary”, we indicate those places where we work to bring the faithful Christians to a higher practice of their religion. By the name of “Religionary”, we indicate those places where we work to bring new people into the Church.

74. Which is the first work division and the first classification of workers in the above mentioned areas of our work field?
The first division is composed of Directors and Teachers, who are respectively called Perfectionist an Devotionists in the Perfectionary; Vocationists and Doctrinists in the Vocationary; Ascensionists and Annunciationist in the Ascensionary; Religionists and Evangelists in the Religionary.

75. Which other division of work and classified of workers could there be in the above mentioned areas of our work field?
Another division of work and classification of workers in the above mentioned areas of activities is related to the specializations that are necessary to four areas, and to the religious who have specific training for each one of them. Thus, the Misericordists are necessary in all areas, the Congregationists are necessary in the Ascensionary only, the Consecrationists are necessary solely in the Vocationary, the Predilectionists are necessary only in the Perfectionary.

76. What are the duties of the Directors and their respective functions?
The Perfectionist are responsible for the recruiting and continuous formation of our religious, the Vocationists are responsible for the constant search and cultivation of vocation to Religious life and Priesthood, the Ascensionists are mainly responsible for Parishes, Mission Churches, Chapels, and especially for all sacramental and liturgical life therein. Religionists are responsible for the establishment of a foreign Mission and for the organization of a Catholic life style among the converts.

77. Who are the Teachers and what are their respective functions?
The Evangelists are in charge of the perpetual preaching of the Gospel of Jesus, both to the pagans and to the faithful, aiming especially at their conversion to the faith and to the state of grace; the Annunciationist are in charge of the perpetual catechesis to every type of vocation, with special emphasis on vocations to consecrated life and to priesthood; the Devotionists are in charge of providing a high and profound teaching of all Catholic devotions, with special emphasis on the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity and its relationship with us.

78. Who are the Misericordists and what do they do that is so important to all areas of our work field?
The Misericordists are in charge of all the works of mercy, especially the corporal ones; as a result they are in charge also of all the financial means necessary for the functioning of the rest of the area. Many of them are needed, and in turn they need a profound virtue; therefore they require a special formation. We owe them a great veneration as the hidden heroes and the mother-souls of all the activities of the Congregation.

79. In addition, who are the special workers of the Ascensionary, Perfectionary and Vocationary, and what do they do?
The special workers of the Ascensionary are the Congregationists. They are in charge of all the associations aimed at establishing the Kingdom of holiness in the Parishes. They try, in special way, to imitate and reproduce, through permanent committees, the Sacred Roman Congregations in everything that can be and should be done in Parish; at the present they are responsible also for the progressive functioning of the Catholic Action, having always in mind the formation of Priests, or Religious, and Saints.

80. And who are the special workers of the Vocationary and Perfectionary?
In the Vocationary, the special workers are called the Consecrationists. They are to lead the souls on the road of free and progressive consecration, to an ever more perfect interior state, with the aim of the Divine Union always in mind. Finally in the Perfectionary, the special workers are called the Predilectionists. They apply themselves, almost exclusively, to develop and live the entire life of action of our Congregation, and, as contemplative religious, they are to cater to the spiritual needs of all other areas of activity.

Dear parishioners of Saint Patrick parish Community, in order for all to have a better knowledge of the Vocationist Fathers and Sisters, their spirituality and field of work, we are going to place in the bulletin on a weekly basis for a while the catechism of the Society of Divine Vocations (a.k.a -Vocationist Fathers)

Catechism of the Society of Divine Vocations – ( Chapter Seven )

61. What should then be the daily preoccupation of a Religious of Divine Union?
The daily preoccupation of a Religious of the Divine Union should be a continuous endeavor to derive from everything, from every circumstance, from every relation, as much profit as it is possible for the Divine Glory, and the pursuit of his own sanctification.

62. How can we express more clearly, in a concrete prayer form, what we mean by the words “derive as much profit as possible?”
Grant me, Lord, to know and please You ever more. Let me be united to You and posses You in this thing, in this circumstance, in this relation, etc.

63. This is valid for ourselves, however what should we do when our neighbor is involved?
When our neighbor is involved, our worry should also be to render an ever greater glory to the Lord in the personal sanctification of our brothers.

64. How can we express even more clearly our paramount concern for our neighbor?
Before a child as well as before an adult, before a rich as well as before a poor, before a healthy person as well as before a sick person, a soul will whisper, “Lord, let me help him to become a Saint”.

65. Should we find ourselves in the presence of our superior, either in authority, or in knowledge, or – as it often happens – in virtue, how will we manage to show our care?
Thinking and praying thus: “Lord, make him evermore holy, more united to you and lead him to help the souls to become increasingly saints, starting from myself”.

66. Do we really believe that these little prayers, however frequent, are sufficient to make a good Priest, a good Religious, a great Saint?
Prayer only is not sufficient, but it is the first and the most effective requirement: in order for a person to become a religious, for a chosen one to become a priest, and for a soul to rise to holiness, a host of other helps are needed.

67. If we wish to provide this multitude of helps to others, won’t we remain entangled in a multiplicity of activities, which will hinder our sanctification?
Precisely because a single person could never provide the multitude of helps required for neighbors, and so in order that his own sanctification many not be hindered by the multiplicity of his activities, we live in a Congregation.

68. In which ways does our Congregation provide this host of helps for others, and how does it rescue us form the distractive multiplicity of activities?
Our Congregation provides whatever necessary for the sanctification of its members and of the souls of our neighbors, through an accurate division of work and classification of workers.

69. In this division of work and classification of workers, which duty remains common to all, with respect to the Congregation?
Every worker of the Universal Sanctification, whatever will his specific task, is bound, before the Congregation, to provide through prayer the supernatural means for himself and all the others, and, through a profitable work, to provide the natural means of sustenance for himself and at least for one additional candidate.

70. How does our Congregation provide the host of workers required by the extensive work of universal sanctification?
Our Congregation provides the large number of workers needed for the Universal Sanctification through the Religious and LayAssociates, and expects that every Religious and Oblate gather, around themselves, a college of apostles and disciples, in conformity, – in this also –with the public life of the Lord.

Dear parishioners of Saint Patrick parish Community, in order for all to have a better knowledge of the Vocationist Fathers and Sisters, their spirituality and field of work, we are going to place in the bulletin on a weekly basis for a while the catechism of the Society of Divine Vocations (a.k.a -Vocationist Fathers)

Catechism of the Society of Divine Vocations – ( Chapter Six )

51. Whom does the union of the soul with the Lord specifically depend on, in its reality and its degree?
The union of the soul with the Lord, in its reality and degree, depends, above all, on the infinite goodness of God, our Father and Creator, on the infinite merit of God’s Son and our Savior, on the infinite love of the Holy Spirit, our Sanctifier.

52. What are the conditions and obligations of a soul toward this diving gift?
The essential conditions and obligations of a soul toward this divine gift are: penance and fight against any sin, flight and segregation from the world, self-denial, solitude and prayer.

53. Do others personal unions of a soul with creatures constitute a hindrance to or help for the achievement of the Divine Union?
Any other personal union of a soul with creatures constitutes a hindrance to the achievement of this Divine Union. However, a spiritual intimacy with the Saints, the Angels, and especially with St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary, and most of all the union with the Divine Humanity of Jesus will be very helpful.

54. In our itinerary towards Divine Union with the Lord, should we rather have in mind the Unity of Divine Nature or the Trinity of the Persons?
In the Divine Union with the Lord, according to the spirit of our Congregation and for the fulfillment of our mission of the same Divine Union, it is more helpful to have in mind the distinction of the Three Divine Persons.

55. How do we distinctly address the single Divine Persons, in our prayer of adoration for instance?
We distinctly address the single Divine Union Persons in our prayer of adoration, for instance, by begging the Father and the Son for the gift of the Holy Spirit; in a prayer of love, we address the Divine Persons by joining ourselves to the rejoicing of the Father in His Son, and with the rejoicing of the Father and the Son in the Holy Spirit. etc.

56. Could this way of praying, perhaps, affect our faith and our worship of the Divine Unity?
Our faith and our worship of the Divine Unity will not affected, but rather perfected, because in each Person we contemplate and glorify the other Two, on account of their Circumincession in the Unity of their Nature.

57. Do we follow this personal method and itinerary in our work on behalf of the souls also?
We follow this personal method and itinerary also in our work on behalf of the souls, aiming at performing not only virtuous deeds, but at establishing ourselves also in a state of perfection, through a real and true consecration, in honor and imitation of the acts and states of the Incarnate Word.

58. In our spiritual work, what do we expect to obtain through this personal method and itinerary?
With this Personal method and itinerary we expect to obtain, in our spiritual work, that every person, with all of its being, may live in the elevation to the supernatural state that the Divine Love has bestowed upon us, and may obtain the Relationship of the Divine Union to which the Divine Love has invited us.

59. How do we hope to respond, through this personal method, to our vocation and mission of forming religious and saints?
We hope to respond to our vocation and mission of forming religious and Saints through this personal method, in that this method is the most suitable to the achievement of our goal, inasmuch as the religious is essentially a soul consecrated to a life lived in the supernatural, and the Saint is a soul ever ascending to higher degrees of union with the Lord.

60. Could the same thing be said about the formation of Priests?
For the formation of Priests this method is also the most suitable and efficient, because since he is to be the most consecrated man in his soul and the most effective consecrator of the souls, he first is to tend to an ever stronger personal union with the Lord.

Dear parishioners of Saint Patrick parish Community, in order for all to have a better knowledge of the Vocationist Fathers and Sisters, their spirituality and field of work, we are going to place in the bulletin on a weekly basis for a while the catechism of the Society of Divine Vocations (a.k.a -Vocationist Fathers)

Catechism of the Society of Divine Vocations – ( Chapter Five )

41. What does the spirit of our Congregation urges us to do, above all else, in order to cultivate Divine Union in everyone and in everything?
In order that we might cultivate Divine Union in everyone and in everything, the spirit of our Congregation prompts us, above all else, to place ourselves in the Divine Presence personally, through the practice of interior actions, which brings us into closer union and relations with the Three Individual Divine Persons, in their perfections and activities.

42. Where is the presence of Jesus, the Incarnate Word, to be found?
We find the presence of Jesus, in the Eucharist, close to sinners, in the Saints, as Teacher in the Scriptures, as a divine beggar, in our neighbors, and most of all, in the mission of the Holy Spirit, in the Will of the Father, and in the womb of Mary.

43. Among the actions we perform which ones will unite us interiorly to the Divine Word?
We unite ourselves interiorly to the Divine Word in Eucharistic Visitation and Adoration, in the Sacrament of Communion, in religious study, in spiritual reading, in all of our works of mercy, in Jesus’ Ascension to the Father, and in His exultation in the Holy Spirit.

44. Where do we experience the presence of the Holy Spirit?
We experience the presence of the Holy Spirit in ourselves, in other people, in prayer, in the supernatural inspirations, in the impulses of His gifts, in the fruition of His anointing, in the offering of heroic actions.

45. With which actions do we unite ourselves inwardly to the Holy Spirit?
We unite ourselves inwardly to the Holy Spirit in the cultivation of our inspirations, in our spiritual direction, in the ministry of the word, in the ministry of education, in the practice of acts of love, in consoling souls, in our striving toward heroism, in our letting Him take us to the Father.

46. Where do you experience the presence of God the Father?
We experience the presence of God the Father in the daily providence for our physical and spiritual life, in all authorities, both civil and religious, in the manifestations of the Divine Will, in the demands of the Divine Love, in the splendor of the Divine Glory, in the mission of the Word, in the mission of the Holy Spirit.

47. With which acts do we internally unite ourselves to God the Father?
Internally we unite ourselves to God the Father in directing our actions to His glory, in the reverence and obedience to His representatives, in the trust and confidence in His love, in the trust in and surrender to His will, in the zeal for the conquest of His Kingdom, in His rejoicing in His Son, in His rejoicing in His Holy Spirit.

48. Where will we experience the presence of the Most Holy Trinity?
We will experience the presence of the Three Divine Persons in the inferior creatures as their vestiges, in the superior creatures as their images, and especially in their dwelling in every soul in the state of grace.

49. With which acts will we unite ourselves inwardly to the Holy Trinity?
We will unite ourselves inwardly to the Holy Trinity through the contemplation of the natural and supernatural world; in the reverent and respectful use of the creatures; in our devotion to the Holy Trinity in our neighbors, living and personal images of the Lord; in the Apostolate of devotion to the divine Inhabitation; in the study on our progress in virtue and in grace.

50. How is it possible to care about all this?
It is not necessary and it is not even possible to apply ourselves to all these activities simultaneously; it is sufficient that, through some of these unitive exercises, everyone apply himself quietly and fervently to prayer, leading to contemplation, each according to his own talent.

Dear parishioners of Saint Patrick parish Community, in order for all to have a better knowledge of the Vocationist Fathers and Sisters, their spirituality and field of work, we are going to place in the bulletin on a weekly basis for a while the catechism of the Society of Divine Vocations (a.k.a -Vocationist Fathers)

Catechism of the Society of Divine Vocations – ( Chapter Four )

31. What are the activities to which our Congregation is dedicated?
Our Congregation is dedicated to those physical and spiritual activities, which might in any way be related either to service to and formation of Diocesan and Religious Clergy, or of those who seek holiness of life.

32. Does our Congregation generally perform these activities in its own name or under someone else’s auspices?
Our Congregation generally prefers to perform under its own name all the activities aimed at the formation of and aid to Priests, Religious and those who are striving for holiness. A Vocationist will achieve his objective through his service to Parochial, Diocesan and Pontifical activities, in a total union with and complete dependence from the proper ecclesiastical Authorities.

33. Which activities are specifically geared to the formation of Priests, Religious, and of those seeking holiness?
Our Congregation teaches catechesis to spiritual groups on Parish level, staffs, Apostolic Schools and Vocationaries on Diocesan level, and local and foreign Mission on the universal level, in order to achieve formation of Priests, Religious and souls in quest of holiness.

34. Is our Congregation essentially bound to these activities?
No, Our Congregation is not essentially bound to all or some of these activities, as they are simply a means and not an end in themselves. Our Congregation, under the direction of Superior and according to the circumstances indicated by times and places, may use other means to reach our goals.

35. What is meant by the distinction of “ends and means” as applied to the works of our Congregation?
By distinguishing “ends and means” in speaking of our works, we wish to make it clear that the goal of all the activities of our Congregation is the formation of Priests, Religious and of those who aspire to holiness as well. This goal can be neither changed nor forfeited.

36. What do we exactly is mean when we say “means”?
By saying means, we declare that our Congregation may use whatever method, either the most basic one mentioned above, or other methods in the pursuit of our goal, as long as that goal is achieved.

37. Who and what will decide as to whether we shall use the means mentioned above or some other means?
The choice of means is contingent on the demands made by changing times and circumstances, as interpreted and recognized by our Major Superior in the Congregation, and the competent Ecclesiastical authorities outside of the congregation.

38. So in what spirit do we embrace Pontifical and Missionary works?
We embrace these works in honor and imitation of, in service to, and in union with the Divine Person and Mission of God’s Incarnate Word, Jesus.

39. In what spirit do we embrace Diocesan works and the service of the Vocationaries?
We embrace diocesan works and service in the Vocationaries in honor of and service to, and in imitation of and union with the Divine Person and Mission of the Holy Spirit.

40. In what spirit do we embrace parochial and ascetical works?
We embrace parochial and ascetical works in honor and imitation of, in service and union with the Divine Person and Action of the Father.

Dear parishioners of Saint Patrick parish Community, in order for all to have a better knowledge of the Vocationist Fathers and Sisters, their spirituality and field of work, we are going to place in the bulletin on a weekly basis for a while the catechism of the Society of Divine Vocations (a.k.a -Vocationist Fathers)

Catechism of the Society of Divine Vocations – ( Chapter Three )

21. What is the meaning of the letters of our Motto: G.A.U.D.I.U.M.?
Gloria Amor Voluntas Dei In Universo Mundo. Glory Love and Will of God in the entire World.

22. What special message does God wish to convey to us through these words?
Through these words God wishes to convey the message that we have been created for the Divine Glory, are saved by the Divine Love, and will achieve holiness through the Divine Will.

23. What special message do we wish to convey to the Lord through the use of these words?
With these words, we intend to say: Lord, may your Will be done, your Love reign, and your Glory shine, always more in me and in everyone as in yourself.

24. What does it mean to work for God’s glory, love and will?
It is to work for Universal Sanctification.

25. What is necessary to bring about Universal Sanctification?
In order to bring about Universal Sanctification it is necessary for all people to accept the true religion, and to practice it with the greatest perfection, so that they may become true religious followers of the Holy Trinity, in whatever state of life they may be.

26. What are the main instrument by which Universal Sanctification is brought about?
The main instrument by which Universal Sanctification is brought about are: the Priests, the Religious, and the Souls of heroic virtue.

27. Why are the priests, Religious and Saints the main means by which Universal Sanctification is brought about?
This is so because, Priests, Religious, and the Saints are, through the glory, love and will of the Lord, the indispensable ministers and cooperators in Universal Sanctification.

28. What is the mission that has been entrusted to our Congregation by the Divine Call in furthering the work of Universal Sanctification?
The special mission that has been assigned to our Congregation in the furtherance of Universal Sanctification is the specific service of forming Priests, Religious and Saints.

29. How do we begin this great and holy work, and how do we carry it on?
This work begins with the cultivation of vocation to Faith and Holiness in all people in general, and to the Priesthood and Religious life in particular. It is carried out in a concrete manner through various stages of Consecrations and Ascensions, supported by ascetical teachings and by Physical and Spiritual Works of Mercy.

30. Which goal do we seek by performing this great and holy work?
The blessed goal to which we are to aim with all our strength in this work is, and must always remain, an ever greater degree of Union with the Blessed Trinity.