The nine weeks before the Feast of St. Anthony of Padua is often called the “Big Novena.” People around the world ask the intercession of St. Anthony for their intentions. At Transfiguration Parish the “Big Novena” begins on Tuesday, April 14, after the noon Mass. Come and bring your intentions! You are welcome to receive a blessing with the relic of St. Anthony. We will make the next nine Tuesdays special for those with a devotion to St. Anthony.
Renewal of profession and world day of prayer for vocations. On Thursday of this week Franciscans are accustomed to make a spiritual renewal of vows. This practice usually takes place during evening prayer in our friary chapel. However, since we are in the year dedicated to Consecrated Life, Bro. Phil, Fr. Jeremy and myself will make our vow renewal during the noon mass. Our vows are made for life, but this yearly renewal is a way of giving thanks for the gift of a vocation, and an intercession that we be faithful to this gift.
Later in the month, the Catholic Church calls upon us to pray for vocations. Prayers for vocation will be a part of our weekend masses on April 25-26. When we pray that God will raise up new vocations we actually do something that clarifies our own vocation. Yes, each one of us has a calling from God. Many who read this have a firm sense of their personal vocation. On the other hand, each of us can discover new dimensions to our vocation. Fr. Joe Lang, a former parishioner who raised his family here many years ago, experienced a call to the priesthood after his wife Mary passed away. He celebrates 10 years of priesthood this Sunday at the National Shrine of the Little Flower where he is an associate pastor! Maybe someday we can have him come to our parish and talk about the mystery of our vocation...