Catholics foster vocations through prayer in adoration

By Ambria Hammel, The Catholic Sun
May 17, 2007

The shortage of priests has left many Catholics responding in silence — silent adoration, that is. 

Catholics are invited to join in silent prayer for vocations before the Blessed Sacrament during eucharistic adoration. It’s held all day and throughout the night on the first Friday of each month at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral.

“People really need to wake up and pray,” said Kathleen Whyte, coordinator of adoration for vocations. “Our children won’t have the sacraments. There’s only so much our laypeople can do.”

Some parishes in the diocese are currently without a pastor.

“Our good priests are getting so drained,” Whyte said. “We all have to form as a community and petition our Lord.”

So far, it’s working.

The cathedral began hosting this special vocation-themed adoration vigil in January. It’s open to parishioners across the diocese and Catholics have come from as far away as Apache Junction, Mesa, Ahwatukee, Carefree and Avondale to spend a few minutes or an hour praying for vocations.

The monthly adoration begins at 6:45 a.m. By the time morning Mass began May 4, less than two hours later, eight adorers already signed in.

Fr. Frank Fusare encouraged all churchgoers, especially the schoolchildren, to experience adoration.

“There’s one place I really want you seeing Christ and being with Him. It’s right there in that tabernacle. Too often people don’t recognize it,” he said during the homily.

Churchgoers usually join the students after the liturgy as they pray aloud for vocations. Then they offer a litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Silent adoration ensues the rest of the day and throughout the night.

Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted said the diocese is blessed to have lay Catholics praying for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

Members of the Knights of Columbus, Knights of Malta and Knights of the Holy Sepulcher are among those who pray. They team up to host the first Friday adoration to ensure someone is always present before the Blessed Sacrament.

“Our responsibility is to serve our Church and serve our priests,” said Kevin McCarthy, of the Bernard G. Collins Assembly of Knights of Columbus based at St. Bridget Parish in Mesa. “Asking God’s inspiration to foster priests just seems like the right thing to do.”

Other Catholics come individually as their schedule permits.

Olga Leon, a Ss. Simon and Jude parishioner, comes to adoration twice a week to pray for many intentions, including vocations on first Fridays. She often reads out of “One Hour with Jesus” or “Seis Horas Santas” while in the cathedral to guide her. Leon said both books help Catholics express themselves in adoration.

She knows the experience can still be intimidating for beginners and offered some advice.

“If you sit down there and you just sit, the Host is like rays of blessings,” Leon said. “Even if you don’t talk, His rays are there for you.”

She added that they extend the gifts of patience and love.

Both Leon and Whyte suggested Catholics commit to five minutes of adoration and let the Lord work from there. Whyte came to the adoration for vocations in March intending to stay a short while, but remained 24 hours.

“And when I left here I was as good as I was when I walked in,” she said.

Elizabeth Kottoor managed to finally squeeze in 15 minutes with the Blessed Sacrament this month. The Ss. Simon and Jude parishioner had been struggling to make room in her work schedule to attend the monthly adoration for vocations.

“There is such a need for priests,” she said. “I pray for our two boys.”

Their response to religious life would not be abnormal. The boys have eight generations of priests on their dad’s side of the family, including their uncle.

Kottoor was no stranger to religious life growing up either. Her family lived in Calcutta and knew Mother Teresa well.

Her parents labored to make their abode a home away from home for the priests and nuns who frequently traveled through the town to visit missions in the northeast.

“It’s always a bit of an honor and a privilege to spend time with the Blessed Sacrament for the special intention of vocations,” McCarthy said.