Homily to the Benedictine Convent in Rome

1st Monday in Ordinary Time

Hannah, why do you weep, and why do you refuse to eat?
Why do you grieve? Am I not more to you than ten sons?

Hannah, a pre-figuration of our Blessed Mother
Weeps because she is childless.
She prays to God for a child
Offering sacrifices and supplication
So that she should be fruitful, and not barren
and promising her Child,
who she is sure God will give her
to his service.

My sisters, we too should weep to God for Children
We who are called and who have accepted
the great gift of celibacy
are called to be Mothers and Fathers
to many spiritual sons and daughters.

By our prayers, example, kind words,
and heartfelt love and support
God desires to regenerate the world
And to bring the whole world
to new life in the waters of Baptism

We cannot forget our vocation to spiritual parenthood
Which is so central to religious and priestly identity.

Like you, I a deacon and a student,
live a hidden life here at the seminary
not assigned full-time to any parish
not able to have the interaction with the laity
that I might like or desire.

This has been one of the most difficult aspects
of coming to Rome, for me.

However, I find great comfort
in the example of St. Theresa of Liseaux
who though sequestered from the world
is the Patroness of the Missions.

Even in our relative isolation,
within the wall of the seminary

We must never forget that God hears the cries
of those who call to Him in weakness.
and we must never stop pleading for children

For spiritual sons and daughters
Who like Ss. Peter and Andrew
Will encounter Jesus in some chance moment in their life
And because of the grace won for them by our prayers
Will allow that chance encounter to become
the moment of rebirth into a new life with Christ.

In this life you may never know how many times over
You are a mother
to so many sons and daughters of the Church.

But take faith that God hears
your cries for spiritual fruitfulness
and smiles on them.

By sending the church many sons and daughters
Consecrated to his service—and called to set the world on fire
By their example of holiness.



For the Holy Catholic Church, that she may never cease praying for the gift of new children…

For Pope Benedict that he may be a faithful father and guide to the Church on earth after the model of our Heavenly Father…

That religious and priests everywhere never forget to be good spiritual parents, following first and foremost the model set by St. Theresa of Liseaux…

For a greater response among people to the universal call to holiness, and especially to vocations to spiritual parenthood as a religious or priest…

For the men of the North American College, that they may be strengthened by the prayers of the faithful for their vocations, and for all who are away from seminary or pastoral year or on a leave of absence, that our prayers and the guidance of the Holy Spirit may help to confirm them in their vocation …