It is a special grace to pick up a book that guarantees a path to holiness. Religious have an unfair advantage in this area because they can find this path in two incredible books; Sacred Scripture of course, which is in a league of its own, and another source which illuminates various aspects of that road in greater detail; the book of the Constitutions. With the Vatican approving our latest edition of the Legion’s Constitutions I picked them up with an ever deeper appreciation for what is contained there. I did not get very far; the first number reminds us that we are a clerical religious institute…made up of priests and candidates to the priesthood. That led to some reflection; we priests can only serve Regnum Christi members and the Church in as much as we exist for them. God takes care of the call, but He also gives us the generous invitation to collaborate in the mission. I give thanks to God for the men that continue to fight the good fight, day in and day out. So, as you travel down the road of reflection this week, here are my top five quotes to consider:
1.”The prayer which Jesus asks of the Church therefore concerns the need to increase the number of those who serve his Kingdom.” — Pope Francis, message, World Day of Prayer for Vocations, 2014
2.”Dear young people, do not be afraid to follow him and to walk the demanding and courageous paths of charity and generous commitment.” — Pope Benedict XVI, message, World Day of Prayer for Vocations, 2013.
3.”Each priest will devote special dedication to vocational activity…” — Cong. Clergy, Directory for the Ministry and Life of Priests, no. 43, 2013.
4. This one is just too juicy to quote merely once…but the title of Part II of Vatican II’s Optatam Totius says it all, “The urgent fostering of Vocations.”
5.”The duty of fostering vocations rests with the entire Christian community…” — Code of Canon Law, 233-1.
