PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS TO RELIGIOUS LIFE

In 2018 the Archbishop of Canterbury wrote, in connection with the founding of the new Community of St Anselm at Lambeth Palace: ‘Unless swift action was taken, some feared that the religious life could vanish from the Church of England for ever.’ 

The Roman Catholic Church makes it clear that prayer for vocations to the Religious Life is central to Vocations Sunday, which is observed on the 4^th Sunday in Easter, Good Shepherd Sunday:  ‘The purpose of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations is to publicly fulfil the Lord's instruction to, "Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest" (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2). As a climax to a prayer that is continually offered throughout the Church, it affirms the primacy of faith and grace in all that concerns vocations to the priesthood and to the consecrated life.  While appreciating all vocations, the Church concentrates its attention this day on vocations to the ordained ministries (priesthood and diaconate), to the Religious life in all its forms (male and female, contemplative and apostolic), to societies of apostolic life, to secular institutes in their diversity of services and membership, and to the missionary life, in the particular sense of mission "ad gentes".’  (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)

Excellent resources can be found here:

https://www.worlddayofprayerforvocations.com/

and here:

https://www.dioceseofnorwich.org/application/files/2214/9192/5727/Vocations-Sunday-Resources-Pack.pdf

Vocation was the subject of the sermon at the church I attended on Easter 4 and, quite rightly, the preacher made the point that vocation isn’t limited to ordained ministry.  Whilst I agree it was lamentably noticeable that no mention was made of a calling to Religious Life, and I expect that was the same elsewhere.

It does not appear that such prayer receives any prominence in the Church of England and I wonder why this is so?  If the Archbishop’s statement is taken seriously, then prayer for vocations to Religious Life is urgent and should be at the heart of what we pray for each year. 

At one time there was a Prayer for Vocations to Religious Life, but I cannot find a copy.  Do you know of such a Prayer?

PRIESTS OF THE HEART OF JESUS

‘The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus.’ (St John-Marie Vianney)

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And with those few words the Cure d’Ars identifies the heart of the priestly vocation. Every priest is called to live out of the Heart of Jesus.

Often I hear of people saying they’re going to be a ‘vicar’ or asking what it’s like to be a vicar – but no one’s ordained to be a vicar!  Or rector, chaplain, padre or whatever; these are simply some of the roles priests inhabit. What we need to do is to reclaim the centrality of ‘being priests’, priests of the Heart of Jesus.  We should not be afraid to reclaim that word for it speaks of sanctification even though many of us fail in that calling. The role – vicar, rector, chaplain etc. can overwhelm anyone but the vocation will always be refreshing. For our vocation is rooted in Christ in whom we are enfolded and who feeds our hearts in His love.   The book I have written concerns that calling.

It’s also apparant that people are being attracted by, and encouraged to consider, being a ‘leader’ as if priesthood and leadership were the same. They are not. When I was a Franciscan it was clear that priest-brothers were not, necessarily, called to be leaders of communities. If the church wants leaders then there is no need for them to be ordained. But if it wants priests, pastors of the flock and ministers of the altar that is a different matter. Not all priests are called to be leaders and not all leaders are called to be priests.

So my book isn’t about leadership but it is about priesthood and what needs to nourish and nurture that vocation. The way in which the Church of England is placing so much emphasis on leadership begs questions about the nature of the Church. I know that many sense a ‘business’ model is influencing the hierarchy and wondering whether this is what the church needs, wondering what has happened to the notion of the primary call of the Reign of God, of Christian sanctification and pastoral care. So my book is an attempt to address this growing imbalance; an attempt to re-focus into the Heart of Him who invites us to share what lies deeply in His Sacred Heart.

ENFOLDED IN CHRIST: The Inner Life of a Priest

A BRIEF INTRODUCTION

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On May 31^st Canterbury Press will be publishing the book* I’ve written concerning priestly spirituality.  From my background as a Franciscan friar for twenty-five years, an interest in Ignatian and Benedictine spirituality and ten years as Rector of an urban parish, this book seeks to explore the heart of priestly spirituality.  It is not about ministry, mission, preaching, evangelisation, pastoral care etc.  but how, through our ‘abiding in the heart of Jesus’, we realise our vocation.

I've also addressed concerns that have emerged in my ministry of spiritual direction and pastoral supervision over many years and drawn on my experience as Vocations Adviser and Novice Guardian for the Franciscans.

It's different from some other books on this subject in exploring matters such as:. the place of confession in the life and ministry of the priest; life as a deacon; praying the Daily Office; Eucharistic living; spiritual direction and supervision; sexuality; letting go of our roles, detachment etc...  It also makes wide use of the Principles of the Society of St. Francis and the dynamic of the Ignatian Exercises and keeps in mind that not all priests will exercise their ministry in a parish context.  It might be summed up as an extended reflection on words of St. John Vianney said, “the priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus.”

It’s aimed at those considering and preparing for ordination as well as those who are ordained. It should also be of interest and help to spiritual directors, pastoral supervisors, clergy mentors, those concerned with the well-bring of the clergy – and any Christian interested in developing their spirituality.

Others have written about the ministry of the priest and some have sought to look at how ‘being’ can help ‘doing’ and I trust what I have written will complement some of these.  Apart from what one might expect in a book like this – chapters on Prayer, the Divine Office etc. it also includes material about:

            v Being rooted on God’s love for us;

            v Realising the need for constant ‘conversion of the heart’ and confession;

            v Issues concerning formation and formators;

            v Eucharistic living;

            v Looking at ‘being beneath the role’;

            v Issues of sexuality, celibacy and the single life;

            v Letting go.

For inspiration I take one of the motto’s of the Benedictines: Ut in Omnibus Glorificetur Deus:

That in all things God may be glorified

From the Foreword by Christopher, Bishop of Southwark: 'The tradition he inherits, distils and passes on is a broadly based one, in which writers and thinkers as various as George Herbert, Maya Angelou and Paul Tillich all have a part to play. But at its heart is the deep hope of humanity this side of eternity, to take the shape which God purposes for each of us, to grow into our true selves, to become the people it is good for us to be.’ 

RECOMMENDATIONS

This is a very welcome and insightful addition to the corpus of books on vocation and priesthood, bringing John-Francis’ depth of wisdom and experience for reflection for those preparing for ordained ministry and in their early years. Further, though, I was personally delighted and challenged by his insights after many years of ordained ministry. Thank you, J-F.
                                             - The Rev. Canon Neil Evans (Director of Ordinands, Diocese of London)

Although John-Francis Friendship’s book is written specifically with priests and ordinands in mind it is also a book for every Christian person called, in John-Francis’s words, to 'live out their Baptismal promises; to deepen the conversion of their heart to Christ’. This book reflects hard won and faithful experience and offers itself as a valuable companion to all who choose to walk that narrow and blessed way.

- Dr. Meg Warner (Author of Abraham: A journey through Lent, London: SPCK, 2015)

John-Francis Friendship’s deep thinking and reflection in these pages will help those who seek to journey and grow in their relationship with God.
            -  Bishop Ric Thorpe  (Bishop of Islington; previously Bishop of London’s Adviser for Church Planting)                                            

Father John-Francis has given us a gift as he speaks from the heart and with gentle wisdom about the joys and challenges facing those who consecrate their lives to Jesus as his priests.
- Bishop Lindsay Urwin OGS (Vicar of Christ Church, Melbourne and member of the Council of Bishop’s for The Society)

As someone who doesn't go to church, I found it a fascinating insight into the life and journey of a priest/vicar. I also found it an 'accessible' read!
                                                                                 - Chris Marlowe (TV and Film Costume Designer)

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*  ISBN-13: 9781786220462,  RRP £12.99 ($21)

UK: https://canterburypress.hymnsam.co.uk/books/9781786220462/enfolded-in-christ
USA: https://www.amazon.com/Enfolded-Christ-Inner-Life-Priest/dp/1786220466

CHRIST, THE LIFE OF THE PRIEST

Since giving expression to a spirituality that's been germinating for many years (The Spiritual Association of the Compassionate Hearts of Jesus and Mary: www.cchjm.org) I've become aware of a desire to write something about the priesthood.  Not about its theology or how one might express its call but about priestly spirituality as it is realised through the life and being of the priest.  A working 'title' came as soon as I allowed myself to recognise that I had this desire: Christ, the Life of the Priest. 

I have always hesitated about being proactive to express myself in this regard unsure whether I might have anything of use to say on the subject.   Nonetheless I have noticed that, over the years, I have given expression to some of this whenever I have been asked to give talks to priests or retreats I have conducted.  My involvement with the Sodality of Mary, Mother of Priests (SMMS) has also had a beneficial effect on my vocation and I was privileged to assist in its inception.  I have twice been invited to talk to clergy of the Diocese of London in the question of sustaining a healthy priestly life which seems, in general, to have been well-received.  Once the Compassionate Hearts had come to birth the need to express what has been on my own heart over these years also emerged and I could no longer avoid giving it attention.  It may come to nothing.

In essence the book would be about the way in which the particular vocation of priesthood is realised and how it is nurtured.  The idea of the priest as the alter Christus (another Christ).  As HH Pope Benedict XV1 wrote at the start of the Year of the Priest:

"As an alter Christus, the priest is profoundly united to the Word of the Father who, in becoming incarnate took the form of a servant, he became a servant (Phil 2: 5-11). The priest is a servant of Christ, in the sense that his existence, configured to Christ ontologically, acquires an essentially relational character: he is in Christ, for Christ and with Christ, at the service of humankind. Because he belongs to Christ, the priest is radically at the service of all people: he is the minister of their salvation, their happiness and their authentic liberation, developing, in this gradual assumption of Christ's will, in prayer, in "being heart to heart" with him. Therefore this is the indispensable condition for every proclamation, which entails participation in the sacramental offering of the Eucharist and docile obedience to the Church." -  Pope Benedict XVI: 24 June 2009

At present I have considered chapters on:

1. PRIESTLY VOCATION: ‘Priests are called to be servants and shepherds among the people to whom they are sent’ (The Declarations) reflections on the Personal Vocation and vocation to priesthood

2.  CLOTHED IN CHRIST: ‘To serve this royal priesthood, God has given particular ministries.  Priests are ordained to lead God's people in the offering of praise and the proclamation of the gospel.’ (Introduction to Ordination Rite)

3.  PRAYER:  ‘Priests are ordained to lead God's people in the offering of praise and the proclamation of the gospel … that we all may grow into the fullness of Christ and be a living sacrifice acceptable to God.’ (Introduction to Ordination Rite)

4.  EUCHARISTIC LIVING: ‘They are to preside at the Lord's table and lead his people in worship, offering with them a spiritual sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving.’  (The Declarations)

5.  THE SERVANT PRIEST:  ‘They are to minister to the sick and prepare the dying for their death. Guided by the Spirit, they are to discern and foster the gifts of all God's people, that the whole Church may be built up in unity and faith.’  (The Declarations)

6.  PENANCE AND RECONCILIATION: ‘Formed by the word, they are to call their hearers to repentance and to declare in Christ's name the absolution and forgiveness of their sins.’  (The Declarations)

7.  PREACHING THE WORD:  ‘‘With their Bishop and fellow ministers, they are to proclaim the word of the Lord and to watch for the signs of God's new creation. … They are to unfold the Scriptures, to preach the word in season and out of season, and to declare the mighty acts of God.’ (The Declarations)’

8.  COMPASSIONATE LIVING:  ‘With all God's people, they are to tell the story of God's love.’

9.  PRIESTLY FORMATION: The responsibility of those who form priests.

10.  CONCLUSION:  ‘They share with the Bishop in the oversight of the Church, delighting in its beauty and rejoicing in its well-being.’

It’s a project for which I have decided to set aside the next six months.  At present I am reading widely – not least re-reading Bishop Ramsey’s seminal book, The Christian Priest Today and Blessed Columba Marmion’s Christ, the Ideal of the Priest, a title that has, obviously, inspired my own.

John-Francis Friendship
June 25th, 2017