THE GOOD NEWS
ARCHBISHOP BELTRAN

August 27, 2006

The Good News

...The Making of a Priest

   School bells are ringing across the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City.  A new school year has begun, not only for the students in elementary, high school and college, but also for our seminarians.

   Seminarians are young men who attend special schools called seminaries to study, to pray and to discern if they are called by God to become His priests.  Depending on the seminarian’s educational background, his aptitude and faith formation, he will spend at least five years and perhaps as many as nine or 10 years in the seminary.  During this lengthy period, the young man grows in faith and in knowledge.

   Seminarians must first obtain a recognized college degree requiring special studies in philosophy. They then advance to theological studies. In the four required years of theology, they also study Sacred Scripture, Canon Law and various other subjects that will enable them to function as effective priests for the Church.

   The   educational   component,  necessary though it is, is not the only aspect of seminary life. In fact, the most important work for the seminary staff is the spiritual formation of the candidates. A priest is necessarily a man of faith. Therefore, a seminarian, one who is preparing to become a priest, must cultivate and develop a strong, vibrant faith in Jesus.  He must grow in the knowledge and love of God first, so that as a priest, he can lead others to that knowledge and love of God.

   The spiritual formation program of the seminary, along with the character formation, pastoral training and ministry experiences, are all designed to assist a young man to discern whether or not God is calling him to serve as a priest. When he is adequately prepared and his bishop calls him to the diaconate, then to priesthood, he can respond with enthusiasm and joy ADSUM, Here I am Lord, I come to do Your Will!

   The picture of our seminarians in this issue of our Sooner Catholic shows that we now have 19 young men studying for the priesthood this year.  At first it might seem to be a large number.  Well, it is an increase and for that we should be grateful. However, it is only one-third of the number of the seminarians we should have and which we need.

   For the Archdiocese to continue its current coverage of parishes and priestly services, we must ordain at least three new priests a year.  This will not happen in the next few years but it can happen in the not-too-distant future if parents and parishes respond now!

   Parents, you are the first key to priestly vocations. Your example of living our Catholic faith fully and joyfully is the first and best vocation homily our children will ever “hear.”  If one of your sons is called by the Lord to become a priest, it is you who actually form and prepare him to hear God’s call. It is you who help him to discern God’s call.  It is you who nurture him in faith, instill in him a sense of responsibility and challenge him to make decisions based on truth.

   The truth is that when God calls someone to a particular way of life, that life is the best way for that person to live.  When a person discerns God’s will and courageously and joyfully follows it, that person finds true fulfillment and joy even now and more importantly, life everlasting in heaven.  Parents who have sons called to the priesthood and who nurture that priestly vocation, someday, when they stand before Christ the High Priest, they can joyfully say, “I have prayed for him. I instructed him and I have given him to you to be a priest forever!”

   Parishes hold the second key to vocations to the priesthood.  A praying parish reflects the joy and fulfillment of our Catholic faith.  A parish that prays for vocations to the priesthood and nurtures those discerning the call to priesthood compliments the encouragement and direction of good parents.

   A young man called by God often hears that call through the parish priest and community. If the faith is joyfully proclaimed and ministry is devoutly practiced in the parish, if cheerful service and a generous spirit are present, that parish will attract and support priestly vocations.

   Yes, all of us should be grateful that 19 of our young men are now studying and preparing for priesthood in the Archdiocese. It is our hope, it is our prayer that each of these young men will, in turn, be prepared and ready to serve you as ordained priests. At the present time, each of them is challenged to prepare properly and prayerfully to become good, holy, faithful priests of our Archdiocese.

   I hope that next year at this time, I will give you a good progress report on these 19 seminarians. I also hope that I will be able to inform you that the number of candidates has greatly increased and it really should.

   Throughout this coming year, please join me in prayer that Almighty God will bless you. May He hear our prayers for an increase in priestly vocations and for an abundance of good, holy, faithful and happy priests.