Holy Orders
He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest." - Luke 10:2
A Call from God
The United States Catholic Catechism for Adults teaches us, that from the moment of Jesus' conception in the womb of Mary until his Resurrection, he was filled with the Holy Spirit. In biblical language, he was anointed by the Holy Spirit and thus established by God the Father as our high priest. As Risen Lord, he remains our high priest. . . . While all the baptized share in Christ's priesthood, the ministerial priesthood shares this through the Sacrament of Holy Orders in a special way.
Ordination to the priesthood is always a call and a gift from God. Christ reminded his Apostles that they needed to ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into the harvest. Those who seek priesthood respond generously to God's call using the words of the prophet, "Here I am, send me" (Is 6:8). This call from God can be recognized and understood from the daily signs that disclose his will to those in charge of discerning the vocation of the candidate.
Learn more about Vocations and Seminarian Formation in the Diocese of Jefferson City
Vocations at St. Mary
Heavenly Father, bless our diocese with the grace of many vocations to the priesthood from our parish. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother, grant those You have called, the courage to follow Your will. Grant also to those serving as priests the grace to serve with the faithfulness of Christ. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.