Scottish Catholic Observer

Growing up, many a young entrepreneur has weighed the gains of becoming an altar server against, say, taking on a newspaper delivery route. We all have a vocation in life, a purpose, a calling from God, but sometimes we struggle to realise it, to hear God above the noise of everyday modern life, to be brave enough to take the more difficult path, the one where the rewards are not so immediate, visible or understood. This is especially true of the young, who must increasingly rely heavily on good role models in their homes, schools and communities to counter popular culture and how society sees our Church.

As Bishop Joseph Toal of Argyll and the Isles told Catholics in his diocese: “It is probable that people will say that this is a difficult time to be thinking of becoming a priest, but it is often in times of crisis that the Lord does call and that those called find the courage to respond.” (Full message, click here)

Last week, the SCO launched its prayer campaign for the Church, and priests (click here) for the remainder of the Year of Faith. The initiative was launched a week ahead of Vocations Sunday this weekend.  Indeed it is appropriate then—while we pray for the laity, clergy and religious in Scotland and throughout the world—that we also pray for those studying to fulfill their vocation or discerning if the priesthood or religious life is for them.

While there is no longer a seminary on Scottish soil, candidates for the priesthood from dioceses throughout the country continue to be sent abroad to study and train, with the Pontifical Scots College in Rome their primary destination. Indeed seminarians from Scots College were among those who gave the SCO a joyful first-hand account of the Pontifical election of Pope Francis, after jumping on their bicycles to get to St Peter’s Square when the white smoke appeared.

In recent years some Scottish secondary schools have shown great initiative by having vocations career days, inviting clergy and religious orders to meet with senior pupils and creating a forum for honest and supportive discussion. Increasingly, there are also candidates joining seminary and approaching religious orders later in life.

Priests for Scotland, a tremendous resource and online forum for vocations to the priesthood, has been running a Follow in Faith vocations campaign throughout the Year of Faith. The campaign offers to bring multi media stands to parishes and schools throughout Scotland to promote vocations and ask for prayers for vocations.

These stands are accompanied by prayer cards and information leaflets and the initiative includes a Holy Hour for Vocations. Interested parishes, groups and individuals are asked to contact their diocesan vocations director for more information. Please keep praying for vocations.

— Priests for Scotland http://priestsforscotland.org.uk

— Pontifical Scots College in Rome http://www.scotscollege.org/home.aspx