Editorial

Continue to offer prayers for the priesthood and consecrated life

While COVID-19 has changed or forced the cancellation of many plans, one annual summer activity that took place was Bishop Bruté Days.

Ordinarily a three-day event, it was changed to a one-day gathering because of the coronavirus.

Sponsored by the archdiocesan vocations offices for teenage boys open to a vocation to the priesthood, it was held this year on July 10 at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Shelby County. (See related story beginning on page 1.)

This year, 50 young men participated in Bishop Bruté Days, which included Mass, eucharistic adoration, and the opportunity for the sacrament of penance. There were also talks by priests and seminarians.

“It’s a life-giving experience to allow these young men to come together and think and pray about the priesthood,” said Father Michael Keucher, archdiocesan vocations director, before the gathering. “A lot of our college seminarians today went to Bishop Bruté Days at one time or another. It clearly is a tree that is bearing a lot of fruit.”

As disciples of Jesus, we must continue encouraging young people to consider vocations and offer prayers for more vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life in central and southern Indiana. Our encouragement and petitions, God willing, will plant seeds and help bear more fruit.

The following prayer, and other petitions for vocations, can be found on the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ website, bit.ly/2ZKNTNq:

He said to them “Come and See.”

They came and saw where he was staying (Jn 1:39).

God of all nations, we are most grateful for the first Catholic missionaries and explorers who came to the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. As strangers in a strange land they brought with them countless skills, talents and traditions, but their greatest treasure was their faith.

May the good News of Jesus Christ, which molded and shaped their lives, continue to mold and shape our lives today.

Bless our archdiocese with men and women who will follow in their footsteps to serve the Church as religious brothers, sisters, priests, and deacons.

Lord Jesus Christ, help to hear your call to “Come and See.”

—Mike Krokos