Editorial
God calls each of us to follow him in a special way, Pope Leo reminds us
It should come as no surprise that in his first Sunday praying the “Regina Coeli” on May 11, Pope Leo XIV urged Catholics to pray for vocations, especially to the priesthood and religious life.
That day, the Fourth Sunday of Easter, marked Good Shepherd Sunday, where John’s Gospel (Jn 10:27-30) features Jesus speaking about his role as the Good Shepherd. He describes himself as the one who leads his sheep, knows them and is willing to lay down his life for them.
The Scripture passage offers a powerful symbol of Jesus’ care and love for his followers. The sheep represent the people, and the Good Shepherd symbolizes Jesus’ protective and guiding role toward us, his disciples.
It was also a day to recognize priests throughout the archdiocese who have faithfully served our parishes through their selfless ministry. We likely do not thank our priests enough for their ministry and for the sacrifices they make in faithfully leading our parish families. We pray that parishioners don’t limit their appreciation of their priests to a single Sunday during the Easter season, that our heartfelt gratitude continues beyond that day.
Good Shepherd Sunday is a day to pray for vocations, and in his address, Pope Leo reminded his audience that “it is important that young men and women on their vocational journey find acceptance, listening and encouragement in their communities, and that they can look up to credible models of generous dedication to God and to their brothers and sisters.”
Noting that Pope Francis had released a message in March in preparation for the day of prayer, Pope Leo told the crowd, “Let us take up the invitation that Pope Francis left us in his message for today: the invitation to welcome and accompany young people.
“And let us ask our heavenly Father to assist us in living in service to one another, each according to his or her state of life, shepherds after his own heart, capable of helping one another to walk in love and truth,” Pope Leo said.
Setting aside his prepared text, he told young people in the square, “Do not be afraid! Welcome the call of the Church and of Christ the Lord.”
As we prepare for the ordination of three transitional deacons to the priesthood by Archbishop Charles C. Thompson at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis at 10 a.m. on June 7, we would do well to keep them in our prayers as they prepare to begin their priestly ministry.
We must remember that God calls each one of us to follow him in a special way, a way that corresponds to the unique gifts and talents that he has given us.
Transitional Deacons Thomas Day, Liam Hosty and Isaac Siefker have taken different routes in answering their call to minister to parishes in central and southern Indiana.
As we have read in profile stories of them shared during the month of May in The Criterion, each man brings unique gifts to his priestly ministry. But they also have at least these desires in common: to serve our Church as holy priests and to help each of us grow in our lives of faith.
As they prepare for their ordination, let us pray the soon-to-be priests assume their responsibilities with great confidence, since God’s will never takes us to a place where his grace cannot sustain us.
Our prayers can help uplift men on the verge of priestly ministry and all who serve our Church.
Pray, as St. John Vianney (the patron saint of parish priests) said, that for each and every priest, “The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus.”
Let us encourage parishes and families to continue praying for vocations, too.
Make no mistake: Our prayers are making a difference.
May the seeds that are planted continue to bear fruit.
Please, Lord, here in the archdiocese and throughout the universal Church, may it be so.
—Mike Krokos