THE V9 Vocations Novena, offered in parishes across Brisbane archdiocese during Sunday Masses from June 17 to August 12, is bearing much fruit.
That’s the message from the archdiocese’s vocations director Fr Morgan Batt.
“‘Build’, I told (Holy Spirit Seminary rector) Monsignor Tony (Randazzo) when I was at the seminary (recently),” Fr Batt said.
“Young men are hearing the call to priesthood.”
Fr Batt’s comments came following the September 7-9 “Quo Vadis” (“Where are you going?) priesthood vocations discernment weekend at the Banyo seminary.
He said the 10 men who attended Quo Vadis were “the direct result” of the novena prayed in the nine weeks leading into National Vocations Awareness Week from August 4-12.
Interestingly, the 10 also were from a variety of cultural backgrounds.
“The men on the weekend are a wonderful response from the new Australian communities,” Fr Batt said.
“They were from Colombia, Burundi, Kiribati, Philippines, Vietnam, Tokelau and (there were) three Anglos.
“It is great to see the new Australian communities responding to the multicultural needs in the archdiocese and the need for local young men to be part of this growing dimension of our local Church.”
The seminary, currently at its capacity, was unable to house the 10 men on Quo Vadis, and they stayed in Northgate parish and commuted to Banyo.
Fr Batt said Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Brisbane gave an “inspiring” visit to the group on September 7.
“The Archbishop said, ‘No matter what, be assured that Jesus will never abandon you’,” Fr Batt said.
“(He also said) ‘Thank you for your generosity in discerning the call’.”
Fr Batt and Msgr Randazzo gave talks during Quo Vadis.
They focused on the apostolic exhortation released on March 25, 1992, by Pope John Paul II – Pastores Dabo Vobis (I Shall Give You Shepherds) – about the formation of priests.
Fr Batt said other “highlights” of the weekend were “Adoration and a Holy Hour with the Canali (house of discernment) men, seminarians and the young men discerning”, a “vocations Rosary walk” and a sung High Mass.
There was also time for fellowship with seminarians and a Saturday-afternoon sport session “where leadership and teamwork came into practice”.
With Holy Spirit Seminary continuing to overflow and the Canali live-in discernment house sending men to the seminary in 2013 and receiving new, possible candidates for priesthood, Fr Batt said men were not only hearing the call, they were also responding.
“Vocations to the priesthood are dramatically increasing in our archdiocese,” he said.
“Canali House is having a direct impact on priestly vocations … (and) we are hoping to soon send three young women to religious orders.
“The response to vocations awareness to priesthood and religious life is wonderful.”
Fr Batt thanked the priests, religious and lay people of Brisbane archdiocese who offered prayerful support to V9 and who continued to remember the importance of praying for vocations.
For more information go to the website www.catholicpriesthood.com, email vocations@bne.catholic.net.au or call 1300 133 544.
