VOCATION SUNDAY

This Sunday - the 4th Sunday of Easter - we’re to promote, “Vocations!”

To prepare for this Sunday, last week I pushed vocations for religious life as a Sister or a Nun. I put in this blog a couple of short pieces on “Sisters” etc.

This week I’m putting in a few pieces about the priesthood – especially the Redemptorists.

In other weeks I’ll push the vocation of marriage, writer, Peace Corps, teacher, public service, etc. etc. etc.

This week think priesthood.

There is a shortage of priests in many dioceses.

Think giving one’s life as a priest!

And while you’re at it, think Redemptorist. We’re mostly priests, but we have brothers as well. We have 5,500 members and we're in 77 countries around the world. Check our websites.

Here in the United States, if you’re smart, quick, good looking, talented, brilliant, a good athlete, love God, want to serve, want to live in community, are male, are willing to serve in the Caribbean, in the Southeast or the Northeast of the United States, as a priest or a brother, please contact our Redemptorist web site: The Redemptorists of the Baltimore Province.

If you live in the mid-west or western part of the United States check out The Redemptorists - Denver Province website. You don’t have to be as sharp and as good looking as the Redemptorists of the Baltimore Province to join them.

Just kidding. And that’s another quality: you have to have a sense of humor.

To be human - is to have a sense of humor. It's part of humility and honesty, etc. You need to be able to laugh at yourself and life - and religion - everything.

To be human - to be normal, is to want to be married to a wonderful spouse, to have a family, to see your grandkids.

To be crazy - is to choose celibacy.

Jesus didn't say it that way, but check out Matthew 19:12. Woooo!

And I’ve often said rather bluntly, “If you can hack celibacy, this is a great way to do life.”

I joined the Redemptorists because we live and work as a Community.

I joined the Redemptorists to become a priest and serve in Brazil. Never got assigned there. Others thought otherwise. Instead, my first assignment was to be a parish priest at Most Holy Redeemer Parish. It was in the East Village on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, N.Y. during the Hippie Revolution (1967-1969).

Besides our vows of poverty and chastity, we have a vow of obedience. You can state your preferences, but doing the mission of our Congregation in the world is primary – so that’s one more way to die to self.


It’s a long formation process – and in time – folks know and you know what you’re good at – where you have to be challenged – and the variety of ministry assignments in so many different places is a great plus.



Today there is a lot more personal input in assignments than when I took my first vows in 1960 at the age of 20.


It’s been a great trip so far: parish priest, retreat house work, road preaching, teaching and training future Redemptorists, and right now parish priest again. I’ve been stationed in Pennsylvania, New York, Washington DC, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Maryland, so far.

It's been a great life. I have met so many people and families that I feel part of - and gradually learned why a priest is called "Father!" (Cf. Mark 10:28-30; Matthew 19:10 to 20:28; Luke 18: 28-30).

More!

Andy Costello, CSSR

April 11, 2008