Becoming a simple laborer in the vineyard

By Rev. Mr. Carlo Santa Teresa

On April 19, 2005, I was a high school sophomore in the middle of geometry class when an announcement was made over the public address system at Camden Catholic High School, Cherry Hill, saying that a successor to now-Saint John Paul II was elected pope. As the television in our classroom was turned on, we had the first glimpse of the newly elected pope, Benedict XVI, who I knew was a man of great intelligence and a prominent member of the Church’s leadership. And yet, when he spoke his first words to the people in Saint Peter’s Square and around the world, I could not help but to be touched by his words when he said that the cardinals had elected, “…a simple laborer in the vineyard of the Lord.”

From that time on, as I continued to think and grapple about my own vocation, the words of the pope-emeritus returned to me time and time again as a reminder that although the priest is called to receive the great privilege of becoming an Alter Christus, another Christ, and to offer His Body and Blood on behalf of and for the people of God, the priest is also called to be a laborer, one who is called into a life of service for God and the Church.

Yes, it is a great task, but it also requires a tremendous amount of humility to the will of God and the ever-developing understanding of one’s gifts and talents as well as one’s weaknesses and shortcomings. In recognizing those aspects, it is indeed a humbling thought to see how Our Lord, in the same way He called the Twelve Apostles in spite of their flaws, still calls fully human men, complete with their weaknesses, to go out and proclaim His Good News to all people.

In my time as a seminarian, I have had many opportunities to work through my seminary apostolates, my pastoral year, and now my diaconate assignment to receive a taste of what priestly ministry should and will be like. In that time, I have been able to develop my gifts, recognize new strengths, as well as to face certain challenges that have refined me to become a better man and a better disciple.

The experience has given me a greater understanding and appreciation of what the people of the Diocese of Camden and the Church Universal need and deserve from their priests and how essential the prayers and presence of the people of God are in our own lives and ministry.

As I prepare to be ordained a priest of Jesus Christ in service to the Church in Camden, I look forward to serving the people of the Diocese through the priestly ministry, to bring joy and healing where it is needed, and to shine light on the presence of God’s joy and love in the lives of the faithful. I also look back with a sense of gratitude to God and to all who have led me, encouraged me, and have prayed for me throughout my years of seminary formation.

As the Lord fulfills the good work that He has begun, please remember to pray for me and my brother, Steven Bertonazzi, that we may always be worthy to labor in the Lord’s vineyard. And please pray that more young men will answer the Lord’s call to serve Him and His Church as priests. Take my word for it, it is more joy that you think you could ever have and more blessings than you think you could ever receive!

Rev. Mr. Carlo Santa Teresa, Fourth Theology, attends Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J.