The 2011-2012 Archdiocesan Seminarian Posters arrived in October from the printer and were mailed to parishes and schools. Photos of the 69 seminarians of our archdiocese surround the image of Caravaggio's ''The Calling of Matthew.'' Read below what Archbishop Nienstedt has to say about this painting and the priesthood.


ARCHBISHOP NIENSTEDT on the painting, The Calling of Matthew, by Caravaggio:

I have seen that great painting by Caravaggio, “The Calling of Matthew,” displayed in several rectories around the Archdiocese…. The artist's special technique was the dramatic contrasts of light and shadows. Amidst a context of semi-darkness, his main figures are lighted by a powerful illumination that accentuates the solidity of their forms.
This is particularly true of . . . more

Pope Benedict XVI has announced a special “Year of Faith” to begin on Oct. 11, 2012 (the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council) and to conclude on Nov. 24, 2013 (the feast of Christ the King).
The pope has declared this Year of Faith to rekindle in Catholics a desire to grow in their relationship with God and to share their faith with others. Celebrating Mass on Oct. 16, the Pope said the Year of Faith would give “renewed energy to the mission of the whole Church to lead men and women out of the desert they often are in and toward the place of life: friendship with Christ who gives us fullness of life.”
Pope Benedict explained his intention in Porta Fidei, an apostolic letter released Oct. 17. The pope said that in addition to studying the “Catechism of . . . more

Pope Benedict XVI's ordination to the priesthood took place 60 years ago on June 29, the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul. The Congregation for Clergy has issued an appeal to Catholics worldwide to mark the Pope's anniversary with 60 hours of Eucharistic prayer for vocations and the sanctification of the clergy.

According to a statement of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, dioceses nationwide are planning to organize prayers before the Blessed Sacrament throughout the month of June. Some celebrations will conclude on July 1, the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the World Day of Prayer for Priests.

Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York, president of the bishops' conference, called prayer for vocations ''a worthy intention'' and an appropriate spiritual . . . more

Bishop Composes Test

The Year for Priests wasn’t just an internal celebration among the clergy, but rather an opportunity for all the faithful to assess their appreciation for the priesthood, says Bishop José Ignacio Munilla of Palencia.

''Do we appreciate the priesthood and love our priests?'' the bishop asked in a posting on the Web site of his diocese.

To answer this question, the bishop composed -- ''with a bit of humor'' -- the following test titled ''Priestly Appreciation.'' The test is complete with instructions to evaluate your answers and your level of appreciation for the priesthood.

* * *

1. Have you prayed recently for your parish priest, your bishop or the Pope?

a. I don't even know their names.
b. At Mass there is usually prayer . . . more

Pope Benedict XVI gives a guideline to determine ''True Prayer''

''The secret of a vocation,'' the Holy Father told youth in July, ''lies in the capacity and in the joy of distinguishing [God's] voice, of listening to and following his voice. But to do this, it is necessary to accustom our heart to recognize the Lord, to hear Him like a person who is near me and who loves me.''

Moments of ''interior silence in the day-to-day routine'' are essential, he said. But once one has learned to hear this voice and to generously follow it, ''one fears nothing, he or she knows and feels that God is with him or her, and that He is a Friend, Father, and Brother.''

Thus, ''the secret of a vocation lies in the relationship with God, in prayer that grows precisely in interior silence, . . . more

''A Vocation Story,'' a 14-minute film about a young woman coming to understand her vocation despite her fears of missing the romantic parts of life is now available to parish youth ministers and pastors.

It is a compelling story, produced locally, from the eyes of the young woman who is fully aware of the attractions of her culture and the beauty of married and family life. Nevertheless, she senses that the Lord may have another plan for her, and she doesn't want to miss it.

For copies of this film, contact: vocationmovie@gmail.com. . . . more

Danielle Rose's passion and dedication to the church radiates through this stirring album that encourages us to follow our vocational calling. Her authenticity is truly unlike any other artist to come before or after her. 100% of the royalties from sales of this CD will be directed to support vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

Fr. David Toups of the USCCB Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations
said, ''She represents the best of the ''JP II generation'' who heard him proclaim over and again, ''Be not afraid!'' From Abraham to Mary to the disciple of today, she angelically sings of this call. These songs will inspire all discerning God's call in their lives. May her consoling voice and lyrics encourage listeners to say a deeper ''yes'' to the Lord.''

For . . . more