The Fourth Sunday of Easter is traditionally called Good Shepherd Sunday, and the world day of prayer for vocations, and especially prayer for priestly vocations.
The gospel is always from a part of John 10 (11-18); Jesus’ sermon on the “Good Shepherd.” Like the good shepherd, Jesus never abandons his flock, always protects the flock from any and all dangers, and even lays down his life for the good of the flock if necessary.
Today, there is a great shortage of priests in most of the world, especially in the United States, and particularly in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Currently, 17 of our 153 active priests are over the age of 70. If the current trends hold, the number of active priests will be reduced to less than 100 over the next 15 years.
If you see a young man who you think might make a good priest, mention it to him gently. That seed of encouragement might, with the water of the Holy Spirit, take root and grow into a vocation. At the very least, pray not only today, but every day for an increase in vocations for the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
- Fr. Carl
“To pray well we need not speak much.”
- The Cure D’Ars
