Called by Name
“The word of the Lord came to me: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you. ‘Ah, Lord God!’ I said, ‘I do not know how to speak. I am too young!’ But the Lord answered me, Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak.” (Jer. 1:4-7)
“The word of the Lord came to me: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you. ‘Ah, Lord God!’ I said, ‘I do not know how to speak. I am too young!’ But the Lord answered me, Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak.” (Jer. 1:4-7)
The call of Jeremiah beautifully shows us that the Lord has a plan for our lives. Even before we were formed in the womb, the Lord had a call for each of us.
The call of Jeremiah beautifully shows us that the Lord has a plan for our lives. Even before we were formed in the womb, the Lord had a call for each of us.
Jeremiah’s response is characteristic of many in the Scriptures. When a call from God comes, it is often met with some type of resistance. Jeremiah says he is too young. Moses says he is slow of speech and tongue. Simon tells Jesus after the miraculous catch of fish, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” Many since then have uttered their own protest in one way or another.
But the Lord continues to call. These call stories show us that the Lord believes in us more than we believe in ourselves!
We have begun our prayer campaign for vocations in the Diocese of Saginaw. As part of the three-point plan ‘Beg! Form! Call!’, we have started to pray the Memorare for vocations. Please pray it at home as well! It could be a perfect addition to your meal prayers or your prayers before bed.
We are praying for 20 seminarians by 2030. With only four in formation now, it is a very bold goal, but with God all things are possible. (Mt. 19:26) St. Teresa of Avila said, “You pay God a compliment when you ask great things of him.”
What can you do? The weekend of Sept. 13 and 14 will be “Called by Name Weekend.” I encourage you to pray about men or women who you could consider asking, “Have you ever thought about the priesthood? Have you ever thought about religious life?” We wish to foster a culture of invitation. If someone comes to mind, you could submit their names to us, and we will invite them to our Vocation Day on Nov. 2 at the Center for Ministry in Saginaw. The day will be for both men and women in high school through age 50 to come together for prayer and fellowship and to hear more about vocations to the priesthood and the religious life.
If you would like to learn more about diocesan priesthood, an excellent resource is To Save a Thousand Souls by Father Brett Brannen. It is a great combination of the practical and the spiritual. It will answer many questions and help you ask questions you did not consider asking.
Great books to assist with discerning religious life for men and women are A Living Sacrifice: Guidance for Men Discerning Religious Life by Father Andrew Hofer and Discerning Religious Life by Mother Clare Mathiass. You can contact me if you would like assistance discerning your vocation. My email is alaframboise@diosag.org.
For any young men or women discerning priesthood or religious life, do not be afraid to let Jesus guide your life! He will show you the way to authentic happiness and fulfillment in your life. He has great dreams for you. Dream with him! He is the treasure in the field. There is no greater treasure out there than him, and no one loves like him.
Trust in Jesus. Be not afraid!
Father Andy Laframboise is pastor of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish in Reese and St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish in Vassar and director of priestly vocations. He holds a licentiate in Sacred Theology in Marriage and Family Studies from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family.
