In the first Vocations eLetter I quoted Pope John Paul II on three reasons why it is hard for young men to embrace a religious vocation: "Fear of commitment, lack of a clear understanding of this calling, and a deficient relationship with Jesus Christ." This month will be about Mary our mother. I hope that it is helpful...

Sorry that I am so very short on time. I will be going for my first pilgrimage to Medjugorje this month. I only want to encourage you to entrust yourself and your vocation to our mother Mary. My life and discernment took a big turn for the better when I did this back in 1990. It is the secret of the saints, including our late beloved Pope John Paul II. Look at the fruitfulness of this Marian consecration in his life! We friars of the Renewal are consecrated under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe. JPII made his first trip as Pope to Guadalupe to offer his pontificate to her. She is the patron of Pro-Life, ending the human sacrifice of the Aztecs - and the patron of the New Evangelization - 10 million converted to Catholicism in the 10 years after the apparitions in 1531 (as many were leaving the Church in the protestant reformation). We have an image of her in all our chapels.

We are praying for you and your discernment everyday, especially on Wednesdays. May the Lord give you the grace to know His plan for your life and the courage to follow Jesus wherever He is calling you! As you may know, we are not running any special "Come and See" weekends. Rather, give me a call (keep trying!) and we will set up a visit. I think that this method is more helpful in your seeing our way of life as it is with no candy coating, etc. The harvest is ripe! Let us set our hands to the plow in the Lord's vineyard and not look back!

What is that animal to the right???!!!-›