Editor’s Note: National Vocation Awareness Week was Nov. 3-9. It is a time dedicated to promoting vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life.
By Nicholas Esposito
Of the many events for which seminarians are present in our Diocese, the observance of National Vocation Awareness Week is admittedly one of my favorites. During this time, we are asked to go to a designated parish in the Diocese on one weekend and speak at all of the Masses.
I thoroughly enjoy being able to go before God’s people at one of our local parishes and share how God is working in my life, as well as encourage the faithful to consider how God is working in theirs. Oftentimes, people, especially young adults, find themselves wondering where God is calling them in this world. They may question their place in society. Are they called to a vocation to the priesthood? Are they called to the vocation of marriage?
I believe that a parish is best defined as a family of believers, and I consider it a great privilege to encourage people to consider their vocation. Not only are these weekend talks an opportunity to promote vocations among young people, they are also a call for those already living out their vocation to pray for those still figuring out where the Lord is calling them.
This year, I was blessed to speak at Saint Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Marmora. The welcoming and encouraging nature of the people I encountered provided me a great sense of joy, gratitude and a renewed vigor to continue persevering in following God’s call. I pray that I was able to reciprocate some of the inspiration that I received from that parish community through the words I spoke at each Mass.
As a man preparing for the priesthood, I consider time spent in a parish setting to be one of the most valuable experiences I can have as I make my way through formation. Visiting a parish allows me to take what I have been learning in the classroom – as well as from priests at the seminary – and apply it with great love, care and a keen awareness of the Holy Spirit.
My experience at Saint Maximilian Kolbe has only helped to reaffirm my “yes” to the Lord. Through speaking with people after the Masses, and learning about them and their life experiences, I became acutely aware of the uniqueness and individuality in each person’s respective vocation. The ability to be a witness to the countless graces and blessings the Lord has given me, especially in my time in the seminary, is a great privilege that I hope and pray will help other young men discern God’s will – and perhaps give them the courage needed to answer “yes” if the Lord is calling them to the priesthood.
Nicholas Esposito attends the College Seminary of the Immaculate Conception at Saint Andrew’s Hall, Seton Hall University, South Orange.
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