PROVIDENCE — Prayer is essential in listening to God’s call. Twenty-five men discerning the priesthood recently took a weekend away from life’s distractions, to pray, reflect and join in a conversation with God about what he has in store for their lives.
At the recent College Retreat at the Seminary of Our Lady of Providence, held Friday, Jan. 11 – 12, the seminary chapel was filled with those prayerfully looking for an opportunity to serve God and to bring hope and his healing to others.
The annual high school upperclassmen and college discernment retreat, sponsored by the diocesan Office of Vocations, had the greatest attendance in recent years said Father Christopher J. Murphy, vocation director for the Diocese of Providence.
The weekend was full as the young men in attendance listened to talks presented by retreat leader Father Ryan Simas and current seminarians. They also had an opportunity for Eucharistic Adoration, confession and attended Mass celebrated by Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, who also had the chance to visit with those on retreat.
In a special letter of gratitude to his brother priests, Father Murphy thanked them for the important role they had in this retreat.
“We received a total of 120 recommendations,” said Father Murphy. “Without your responses, invitations, encouragement and joyful priestly witness, these men may have never considered signing up. Thank you for helping to make this year’s retreat a great success.”
“This was a very positive event and encouraging for the diocese,” he said.
Thinking about the priesthood?
To learn more about becoming a priest in the Diocese of Providence and to find out about upcoming events, visit catholicpriest.com.
Pray for Vocations
To support vocations in the Diocese of Providence, consider joining Mary Mother of Priests Apostolate. MMOP is a prayer apostolate that meets once a month during the academic year at Our Lady of Providence Seminary for Mass at 9 a.m. followed by prayer and fellowship. MMOP sponsors the Adopt-a-Priest project with the Serra club. For more information, visit serraprovidence.org.
