By Fr. Tim Devine, CC.
Taken From Bread of Life, September/October 2003.

Talking long distance to my brother who lives in Brampton, Ontario, I cut the conversation short by saying, "I have to go now Matt. It's almost time for me to celebrate Mass." As I hung up the phone I was pleasantly struck by the reality of it all. Wow, I am a priest, I thought to myself,  "a priest forever, like Melchizedek of old" (Ps 110:4) FOREVER! How incredible, to think my soul is permanently changed by the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Through a profound mystery I'm sharing in the very priesthood of Christ Himself. As a boy I played Mass with my brother and now it's the real thing. Reflecting upon the beauty and newness of my vocation as a priest, I began to wonder what brought me to this place. What is "the call"? How did I respond to that "call"? What follows is the fruit of my reflection.

A friend of mine works for a high-tech company. He once remarked "I have to learn a lot of TLAs at work." I asked him what TLAs were" He answered with a smile, "Three letter acronyms." When most people think about "the call" to the priesthood it's like a TLA in the sense that it is vague until someone explains what it is.  When discerning a call to the priesthood, a man can become very confused about the nature of "the call". Some wait for an angel to send them a message an others go by sheer will power. A scripture verse that I feel best expresses the full meaning of "the call" is John 10:17-18. "This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own.  I have power to lay it down, and the power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father." In these verses we see how Jesus expresses His freedom of will during His earthly life. What is interesting to note is the line, "This COMMAND I received from my Father."  There is freedom of will, but also a command from the Father happening at the same time. When a man is discerning a call to the priesthood, he needs to utilize the full power of his will as well as respond to a command of God. There needs to be a spiritual and natural, body and soul response.  Unfortunately, confusion regarding "the call" leads to an inability to respond to it or they are unable to hear it in the first place. There needs to be two elements working together; outside input and inside output.

Outside input is crucial to discerning "the call". Here are some tips (T.I.P.S.) on how we can help men discern a call to the priesthood:

T - Teaching.  Teaching students in our schools, homes and parishes is what eradicates basic ignorance. If someone knows what the priesthood is, they can develop a desire for it. What is a priest? A man chosen by god to proclaim the Word of God and to administer the Holy Sacraments, especially that of Eucharist and Confession. What are his Vestments called? Why does he wear them? What are the vessels of the alter named and what are they used for? What does a priest do between Sundays rather than golf? Answers to questions like these need to be instilled in Catholic men throughout their school years.

I - Inform.  It is important to inform men that you can see qualities in them suitable for priesthood. This gives them affirmation and helps them to consider "the call", sometimes for the first time. I know many seminarians who testify to the power of this type of input.

P - Presentation.  Priesthood needs to be consistently presented as a valid path in life for men to consider. Parents should never push the priesthood on their sons. Nevertheless, they need to promote it openly in a positive light. Celibacy and sexuality need to be addressed in the light of Christian spirituality and faith. In our present day climate of negativity and scandal regarding the priesthood, this is needed more than ever.

S - Support.  Men pursuing a vocation to the priesthood need spiritual and financial support.  Spiritual warfare is REAL!  Satan does not want men to become priests.  The Eucharistic Sacrifice is an atom bomb of grace, which doesn't fare well for the devil.  Only Prayer and sacrifice for these men can provide the grace needed for them to persevere towards ordination.  Practical needs are also very real.  Tuition, room and board are expenses too great fro men giving up their jobs to enter the seminary.  I think about the many people who prayed for me and donated financially toward my vocation.  I am forever grateful to them and pray that God will bless them a hundredfold. I'm sure all priests echo my sentiments.

If a man receives these T.I.P.S. as his outside input, "the call" becomes easier for him to discern. The inside output is what makes it complete. The inside output is the fire (F.I.R.E.) burning in the man's heart.