By The Most Reverend Fredrick James Hiltz
“Lord, let me know clearly the work you are calling me to do in life,
and grant me every grace I need to answer your call with courage
and love, and lasting dedication to your will. Amen.”
That prayer was on the cover page of ‘Thoughts on Vocation’ prepared by Frances Drolet-Smith when she was Vocations Co-Ordinator for the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island many years ago, guiding people in discerning the nature of God’s call in their life. Absolutely dedicated to this office and ministry she was a great support to me and my ministry as Bishop and I have never forgotten it. You too know how committed Frances is to accompanying individuals and indeed your community in the discernment of its vocation in changing times.
The prayer I reference seems so very fitting for this day when the Church commemorates the life and ministry of Francis de Sales. He was the Roman Catholic Bishop of Geneva from 1602-1622. While he is remembered as such he is perhaps more highly renowned as a Teacher of the Faith, and Spiritual Director.
The Readings appointed for his day speak to his character, call and ministry:
- pursuing wisdom, knowing that her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace;
- knowing how sweet are the words of the Lord, sweeter far than honey to the mouth;
- shedding light for the path of many seeking to lead a holy life.
In his notes on Francis in “For All The Saints” Stephen Reynolds writes
“He strove to put the life of Christian Prayer and meditation within the reach of all those who wished to love God in the midst of their day to day living.”
In his “Introduction to the Devout Life” Francis wrote “When God the Creator made all things he commanded the plants to bring forth fruit each according to its own kind;
God has likewise commanded Christians, who are the living plants of his Church, to bring forth the fruits of devotion, each one in accord with their character, station and calling”. To assist people he developed what would become known as the “Salesian” method of meditation. He identified several steps:
- Choose a subject
- Picture it in your imagination
- Hold it as you enter the day
- Resolve to carry it with you, so that you can be refreshed by it, off and on throughout the day
This simple method for striving to live a truly devout life has helped countless women and men through the centuries as Francis wrote “to set their vocation, whatever it might be, in the context of devotion to God.” It has also helped communities, parish and religious, in the same pursuit.
Well, back to our prayer… As deeply personal as it is, it can and ought often to be prayed within community…
“Lord, let us know clearly the work you are calling us to do in life.
and grant us every grace to answer your call with courage and love,
and lasting dedication to your will. Amen.”