The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1916-07-08

en- the diocese, unable to supply itself
out of it's own bosom with full legion
of priests-what the verdict it at once
suggests? Is it not this-that faith
there is weak, unable to do more than
merely hold its life, without ever burst
ing forth into luxuriant leaf or bios
som? Is it not this-that the soil, into
which the divine word is cast, is want
ing in native nutriment, or is without
that art of cultivation which not only
begets the common crop of plant and
shrub, but, now and then, here and
there, bids upward the tall tree, the
fragrant rose-bush, wherewith to adorn
the landscape and cause the passer-by
to pause and be gladdened?
Not, however, to the Diocese of st.
Paul, nor to its several parishes, shall
] allow reproach to be addressed.
Here faith is not weak or vacillating
here Catholics are fervent in their
faith, loyal in its inspirations: here
priests are whole-souled in service,
ready in every work, in every sacrifice,
tending to do honor to the Church, to
Undue it with graces of power and
comeliness. No-if vocations to the
priesthood are fewer than the needs of
religion require, the cause is not
weak faith, or an unwilhngness to do
great and good things in behalf of its
interests.
The cause is this-people and priests
have not been asked to advert to the
problem confronting Us, have not been
made to understand it's bearings and
the obligations it imposes. "a trumpet
sound is in order to re-echo far and
wide, proclaiming needs and duties
summoning priests and people to the
charge-to the work, which once seen
will surely be done.
/ appeal to priests. Priests surely
have a sense of the value of their
priesthood. They, surely, desire that
it be perpetuated and widened in serv-
ice to God and to souls. Priests once
in motion, barriers break down, the
goal is quickly reached.
Let priests take often as themes of
their sermons the meaning, the neces-
sity, the dignity of the priesthood, in
viting youths in their parish to covet
the privilege of being enrolled into it's
ranks, inviting parents to take it as a
special favor from Heaven that they
are permitted to see in their sons the
blossomings of vocation. Vacations
there are, though silent and dormant:
the call is needed that they be brought
to fruition. 1t is of vocations, as it is
of faith itself; How shall they believe
Him of Whom they have not heard!
And how shall they hear without a
preacher"
Vacations, or probabilities of voca-
tions, once discovered let priests take
them in hand watch over them, nur-
ture them, aiding in removing obsta-
cles, suggesting provisions for full de-
velopment. Vacations are the tender
plants in the garden: harm from frosts
and storms must be averted: timely
nutriment must be administered. Vo-
cations, or probabilities of vocations,
once discovered, let the favored youths
be told of the holy things beckoning
them forward: let a love of the sanctu.
airy be cultivated in them: let prepare
tory studies be initiated for their bene.
fit Many of those who today are
priests, looking backward to their
earlier days, see there the first con
seriousness of their vocation in the sug
gestive word, the opportune help, com
ing from the venerated priest to whom
their spiritual interests were entrust
ed. And happy the priest who, in later
years, together with the consecrating
prelate, lays hands on the forehead OF
the young levite, now "a priest forever
according to the order of Melchise
dech" because of the invitation once
spoken by himself; who on a joyful
Sunday morning guides the trembling
lips of the newly-ordained priest in his
first offering of the sacrifice of the new
: law, and may say to himself-this is
my spiritual child, my own priest, be
gotten of my zeal in behalf of the
priesthood of Jesus Christ. No prizes
should there be, who does not give tt
himself successor in his priesthood
who does not, in this manner, repay tt
the Church the debt of gratitude in
curnbent upon him for the grace O
having been himself invested with it,
priesthood.
l address the youths in whose heart:
the wish has been born to love the tab
ernacles of the Lord and offer them
selves as candidates for the hol,
priesthood. The wish may be the cal
of Heaven-a singular grace too pre-
cious not to be instantly needed. LIE
such youths take counsel with thei
snirituaI dirootor opd frnouaptIv pro,