here does the tree of priestly vocations grow?
In what soil does the tree of religious vocations blossom?
What forest contains these rare plants
which give priests, religious, bearers of the Gospel and catechists?
Did you see such a tree?
Did you ever find it?
Every day
from the regions of my diocese I receive petitions and requests:
do something for this wonderful tree to grow.
But, where do I find the good soil,
the refreshing water,
the vigorous fertilizer?
Every year
thousands of voices cry to me:
climb this tree and gather the sweet fruits of priestly and religious vocations!
And they keep on insisting:
shake the branches and cull for us the apostles that we need.
Then, I take to the paths of the Christian communities.
And knocking at the doors of every family, I ask:
is here, perhaps, in the garden of your homes
the tree that is lacking from my orchard?
Don’t you have here
the precious tree that I need to plant in my field?
What tree? – they answer.
The tree that produces Fathers, Sisters, Religious.
Can’t you do something to plant it?
What did you do to make it grow?
Did you take care for it to give good fruits?
Don’t you have with me the same responsibility?
Children, you who are loved by Jesus with a preferential love,
I call you in His name:
answer as the young Samuel answered:
Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening!
I tell you, young men and women:
today do not close your heart!
I speak to you in the name of Jesus: answer!
Do not run away as Jonas did at the calling of the Lord!
And you families,
accept that God bless you in your children:
help us to choose the road that God wishes for them.
And you, teachers, and educators of the young,
in the name of Christ I beg you: answer!
Work with me to sustain
these tender plants, so fragile and so much needed!
And I tell you, Fathers, Religious, Sisters:
be signs! Become witnesses,
so as not to smother
the lovely shoots that every day sprout in your path.
Behold the priceless seed entrusted to all and each one of us.
Family, be the good earth!
Christian community, be the nursery!
Educators, fetch the good water!
Men and Women,
Children and young,
Parents and teachers,
let us seek together the Vocation Tree,
praying and working,
placing all our trust in the Lord.
The seed – God’s calling – will be sowed
and it will bring forth the Vocation Tree,
in the shade of the large Cross,
in the glorious sun of the Resurrection.
And let the heart
that loves the Church say:
Yes, Amen!
(From Xaverian Mission Newsletter)