Holy Hour for Vocations fills hearts of the faithful

On our own, we are not worthy, stated Father Thomas W. Lanza to those seated in the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi June 23, “but Jesus makes us worthy. You will be made worthy.”

The Diocese of Metuchen celebrates a Holy Hour for Vocations and the Sanctification of Priests each year on the Friday evening before priesthood ordinations. This year Bishop James F. Checchio was principal celebrant of the prayer service which began with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The congregation included the Rev. Mr. Jose Lim, due to be ordained the following day, priests and seminarians, consecrated religious women and men and faithful from throughout the diocese.

The sung service was Evening Prayer I of the Nativity of St John the Baptist, recalling the observation of Bishop Checchio that, along with Our Blessed Mother and St. Joseph, he is the only saint to have two feast days, “which points to the exceptional man he was.”

In his homily, Father Lanza, who serves as director of the diocesan Office of Vocations, quoted the Acts of the Apostles where St. John the Baptist stated, “I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals on his feet.” He reminded the congregation of the prayer that all Catholics say before receiving the Eucharist – “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” – then proclaimed, “I am not worthy, we are not worthy” before pointing to the Blessed Sacrament enthroned in the Monstrance on the altar, and adding, “But you are worthy.”

Father Lanza related an encounter with a very ill patient he visited in a hospital who upon recovering assured him, “You are where you are meant to be.” Recalling his own ordination three years ago lying prostrate in the Cathedral sanctuary he said to Deacon Lim, “As a priest you will lay down your life for God, but Jesus will raise you up, and you will do powerful things with Jesus working through you. You will be made an ambassador of God’s love and an agent of reconciliation.”

Father Lanza ended his homily by praying, “May God bless Jose, all our seminarians and all those discerning a vocation to the priesthood. It is a great life”

Following the homily there was a period of silence for personal prayer and reflection before the Blessed Sacrament. The evening ended with solemn Benediction.

Rev. Mr. Ai Van (Peter) Phan, who will serve at the parish of St. Bernard of Clairvaux in Bridgewater during his diaconate year, said, “The prayer service reminded me of all the people whose prayers and support have contributed to my vocation. I would not be where I am today without them.”

James Prumos, who will begin his second theology year at Immaculate Conception Seminary in August, believes the evening showed the prayers and support of the people of the diocese for all the men called to the priesthood.