Anniversary of the Priestly Ordination of Peter Julian Eymard
On July 20th, we celebrate the anniversary of the priestly ordination of Saint Peter Julian Eymard, founder of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. Over the years, I have been blessed to attend several priestly ordinations, and I love how the beauty of the rite of ordination prompts and heightens the awareness of vocation.
We are told that vocation is a call. This comes from the word’s core meaning, derived from the Latin word “vocatio,” meaning a call or a summons. And this “summons” is not exclusively for the ordained priesthood but also for the baptized, who are called to be priests, prophets, and kings. The call is meant to express differently based on our path in life.
Our vocations express the built-in dignity we have as God’s people. Some of us are called to married life, just as some are called to holy orders or a consecrated life. Vocation denotes a call to a life of service, and what these varied calls have in common is that we are to offer who we are. Our particular charisms glorify God with our lives by loving our Lord above all things and our brothers as we love ourselves. We embrace this call by living the gospel gregariously, generously, mercifully, and gratefully. Our vocations are how we live the Eucharistic life, in conscious and faithful thanksgiving.
We do not all receive the mark of holy orders, but we all receive the invitation to serve from the one who loves us. We are sent to live the same gospel, to serve with love, hope, mercy, and compassion. May we all live our lives as a pleasant offering, a sacrifice most favorable in the eyes of our Heavenly Father. Father Eymard, pray for us.
Prayer:
Lord, help us to embrace our life in you and the gifts you have bestowed upon us. May it help shine your love and compassion upon the world so that you may always be glorified everywhere. Amen.
