Contemplate with Deacon Nate: Christ the King- a Religious Vocations "Factory"

Recently I read a book about the history of St. Michael’s parish, and was very impressed by the number of religious vocations that came from here. My home parish, Christ the King in Ann Arbor, has a similar history. Currently, there are 32 men and women who are actively discerning a religious vocation for a variety of religious orders or dioceses. What is the secret? Is it something in the water? Why are so many young people for there willing to discern a religious vocation at the seminary or at the convent?

Three years ago, the National Catholic Register ran a story about this parish entitled “One Parish, 15 Seminarians.” When asked why the parish had such a big number of vocations, the pastor Fr. Ed Fride replied,

“The spirituality of the parish, in which a personal relationship with Jesus is continually stressed, is key,” he said. “We began as, and still are, part of the charismatic renewal, again where a living, active relationship with Jesus is encouraged.

“In addition, since beginning perpetual adoration five years ago when we finished our church building, almost all of the present seminarians, and those to begin this fall, have heard the call to seminary,” said Fr. Fride. According to Fr. Fride, by being close to Jesus in Eucharistic adoration, people are able to hear the call.

Fr. Fride also said,“…we can’t overlook the influence of John Paul the Great. We constantly reference him, his teachings and the example of his life. He was the only pope that these kids knew, and they want to be like him. They want to participate in the New Evangelization, and becoming a priest is a great way to do that…When you preach orthodoxy, the Eucharist and the centrality of Jesus, vocations result. It seems natural to me to have so many young people who love Jesus and want to serve him become priests.”

Sister Mary Ann Foggin, director of vocation services for the Lansing diocese, also believes that Eucharistic adoration has an effect on vocations. She said, “Where they have it, kids are on fire with the Lord, and then they run toward God’s call, which sometimes is a [religious] vocation. If kids are raised having a relationship with Jesus, as is the goal at Christ the King, they will not be afraid to give their life to him, and will trust him when they hear his call, regardless of what it is, because they know he loves them.”

Many leaders in the Church have noticed that Eucharistic Adoration cultivates religious vocations. At one time, Mother Teresa’s order had few vocations. Mother Teresa later said, “It was not until 1973, when we began our daily Holy Hour that our community started to grow and blossom...”

I can testify to this point! Eucharistic adoration has increased my love for Jesus and my awareness of his love for me. It was when I was praying before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament that the Lord communicated to me clearly that he was leading me to seminary. I am so grateful to Fr. Fride for encouraging his parish from the pulpit to spend time in Eucharistic adoration. If it weren’t for my habit of a spending time daily before Jesus in the Eucharist, I may not have heard, or been open to, the call. Have a blessed week!