God continues to call men and women to serve

In the next five weeks, you will ordain for service in the Archdiocese of New Orleans three men as transitional deacons and four men as priests. How exciting is this time of vocational witness to you as a priest and a bishop?

We are very excited and extremely blessed in the archdiocese to have these men step forward and embrace God’s call to ordained ministry. I would use the words that Jesus often offered to his disciples: “Do not be afraid.” If the Lord is really calling you to do something – even though it might be challenging or confusing to think about – do not be afraid. I often think of Jeremiah, whom God called to be a prophet. Jeremiah had all kinds of excuses such as “I’m too young” and “I don’t have the gifts,” but when God calls, he knows whom he is calling and he has already given the person the gifts. I sometimes hear people say, “I’m not sure what I want to do with my life.” But that’s the wrong question. The real question should be, “What is God asking me to do with my life based on the gifts he has given to me? How can I use my gifts to make a difference in the world and to serve others?” For some people, the answer is marriage and family life; for others, it might be a single way of life; but, for some, it’s the priesthood, diaconate, consecrated or religious life.

What about vocations to the religious life and the consecrated life?

Religious and consecrated life is a true gift to the life of the church. Not only does that person grow in his or her relationship with God and with the church, but it is also a profound witness to the world. Religious communities of women and men do so much spiritually and pastorally to care for God’s people.

Where will the four newly ordained priests serve?

Each of the new priests will be ordained at St. Louis Cathedral on June 3 and begin his ministry on July 1. Father David Doyle will be assigned to St. Anselm in Madisonville; Father Cory Ford will be at Our Lady of the Lake in Mandeville; Father Long Pham will serve at St. Edward the Confessor in Metairie; and Father Kevin Seay will begin his ministry at St. Catherine of Siena in Metairie. We offer our prayers that God will anoint their ministry. Our three new transitional deacons – Austin Barr, Jorge Gomez and Cuong Tran – will be ordained on May 20 and be assigned ministry in parish life as well.

How important is it for Catholics in every parish to pray for vocations?

We should pray for vocations all year, but it’s important that we designate specific times to pray for and talk about vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life. Our prayer is that God may use us to awaken in others the vocational call that he has already given to them. In the archdiocese, we have 23 seminarians at the present time, and several local men have expressed interest in completing their application process to enter the seminary this August. We also have two groups of men in formation for the permanent diaconate classes of 2025 and 2027. I believe the archdiocese is rich in awakening God’s call and creating a culture of vocations.

Can a call come at almost any age?

Very often when we talk about vocations to the priesthood or religious life, we talk about young people. But there are some people, who are not exactly the youngest, who hear and respond to God’s call. It’s not unusual to get someone in the seminary who is in his 30s, 40s or 50s.

What can Catholics do to promote vocations?

Again, we must always pray for vocations but also act when we see a calling in someone. Very often, laity are the ones who can awaken God’s call to discernment. Sometimes people come up to me and say they see a certain young person whom they really admire and think that person should be a priest, deacon or religious sister or brother. I thank them for telling me, but then I always add, “Don’t tell me, tell them!” May God continue to bless our efforts at helping people hear and respond to God’s call in their lives.

Questions for Archbishop Aymond can be sent to [email protected].