Sacraments

Holy Orders

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Our parishioners know that the priest is not ordained for his family or friends alone.  No!  The priest “taken from among men, is ordained for men in the things that appertain to God, that he may offer up gifts and sacrifices for sins” (Hebrews 5:1).  The honor bestowed upon the priest is honor bestowed upon the whole Catholic people out of whose midst he is taken.  As Venerable Fulton J. Sheen stated: "the priest is not his own".

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For young men who may be called to the priesthood, please consider the following pages:

• Diocesan Priesthood: Diocese of Springfield, MA Vocations https://www.myvocation.com/

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Religious orders within the Springfield, MA Diocese:

• Conventual Franciscan Friars; Chicopee and Holyoke, MA: https://www.olaprovince.org/join-us/

• Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M., Stockbridge, MA: https://www.marian.org/vocations/

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Traditional religious orders:

• Canons Regular of St. John Cantius, Illinois: https://www.canons-regular.org/discernment

• FSSP (Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter): http://www.fsspolgs.org/vocations/discernment/

• Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest: https://www.institute-christ-king.org/vocations

• Monastic Life: Monks of Norcia, Italy: https://en.nursia.org/vocations.html

• Monastic Life: Silverstream Priory, Ireland: https://www.cenacleosb.org/vocations

• Slaves of the Immaculate Heart, St. Benedict Center, Still River, MA: https://www.saintbenedict.com/about-us/

The Baltimore Catechism states: "A vocation is God’s call: 'What would God prefer me to be?' — not 'What would I prefer to be?'  The big obstacle is selfishness, lack of generosity with God in little things: frequent Communion, daily Rosary, obedience, kindness to others we don’t like, etc.  Selfishness in little things results in selfishness concerning one’s vocation. 'Many are called, but few are chosen' (Matthew 22, 14). Pray daily and seek the advice of a priest to know your vocation."