Auspice Maria: Vocations
In early February, St. John Paul II Parish, in collaboration with the diocesan Vocations Office, hosted an Andrew Dinner in Scarborough. Thanks to the generous hospitality of Fr. Jack Dickinson and Fr. Alex Boucher and their team of cooks, we hosted 21 young people for a night of prayer, food, and conversation. The young people invited were sent a letter from Fr. Brad Morin and me extending the invitation to "come and see."
The name Andrew Dinner originates in the first chapter of the Gospel of St. John. Beginning in verse 35, readers are told of the call of the first disciples of Jesus. As the story develops, we are told that two disciples of St. John the Baptist are led to Jesus by John’s testimony, “Behold, the Lamb of God” (v. 36). With that prompting, they begin to follow Jesus.
The Scripture tells us that Jesus turned and saw them following. He asks them, “What are you looking for?” (v. 38a). The story continues with their reply, “Rabbi…where are you staying?” (v. 38b). The Scripture then adds, “He [Jesus] said to them, ‘Come, and you will see.’ So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day” (v. 39). The evangelist tells readers that one of the two who goes and sees where Jesus was staying was “Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter….” (v. 40). These two disciples of John the Baptist are essentially the first to follow Jesus.
Andrew does not stop there, though. The evangelist then says that Andrew goes and tells his brother Simon that he has “found the Messiah” (v. 41). Not only does he tell Simon about Jesus, but he also brings Simon to Jesus. The evangelist describes what happens in Simon’s first encounter with Jesus. “Jesus looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas’ (which is translated Peter)” (v. 42). The following day, after calling Simon Peter to be a disciple, Jesus calls Philip. Philip, in turn, finds Nathanael, and he, too, is invited to be a disciple (v. 43ff.).
Therefore, the name Andrew Dinner is given to these kinds of gatherings where young men are invited to join the bishop and other priests for a night of fellowship, prayer, and inquiry. The young people who came were of various ages and at various stages of their lives – some in high school and some post-high school. The one thing they did have in common was a desire to “come and see.”
Vocational discernment is a personal and communal process. The image that comes to mind when considering the discernment process is “sifting.” Imagine a person standing before a vast expanse of earth, armed with a sifter—a tool designed to shake and sift through soil layers. With deliberate, rhythmic motions, the man lifts and shakes the earth, letting it cascade onto a finely woven screen. As the earth moves over the screen, only select fragments remain. These remnants on the screen may be likened to those of experience and insight that have withstood and grown from the process. Now, the person carefully combs through what has settled on the screen, examining each particle with meticulous attention. Some are insignificant specks, while others shine like gems—each holding a spark of truth or a lesson previously obscured by the bulk of everyday noise.
This detailed examination is where discernment truly unfolds. Shaking and screening the earth mirrors the inner work of the discerner, sifting through his thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This process is gradual and best done in communion with the Holy Spirit and with the aid of a spiritual guide. It requires silence and honesty. For a person to discern what vocational invitation God is extending, a lot of “sifting” is needed.
Let’s revisit the call of Simon Peter in the Gospel of St. John. Andrew, Simon’s brother, is a key person in Simon’s discipleship. Andrew leads his brother to Jesus by his testimony, “We have found the Messiah” (v. 41). John the Baptist leads Andrew to Jesus by his testimony, “Behold, the Lamb of God” (v.36). Reminding ourselves of this sequence of events, we see the importance of testimony. Testimony is sharing what we know is true. Sharing meaningful, personal experiences of pivotal events in our lives. Testimony requires a relationship. Vocational discernment, “sifting” to understand God’s voice inviting and guiding us to the bigger (macro) mission of our lives on earth, is done in the context of relationships.
Parents, your relationship with your children is essential to their vocational discernment. As you encourage your children to strive for holiness and fulfill their transcendent capacity, pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. As you nurture your child's personality and character, ask for the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to help you guide your child to his or her vocation. As you initially take your child’s hands and help move the sifter, examine the gems with your child. Soon, they can do without your hands holding the sifter with them, but your love and support are still essential. As I took the sifter in my hands and determined after examining the gems that God was calling me to enter the seminary, my parents’ support was such a blessing. I remember telling them I wanted to be a priest and their loving and affirming response. It gave me the courage to take the next steps.
The next time our Vocations Office hosts an Andrew Dinner, please think of someone in your life who might join us. Sometimes, a simple invitation like “come and see” that is extended and accepted may change the whole course of a person’s life.
