Feed My Lambs

Last week, I had the amazing privilege of attending the National Eucharistic Congress as a speaker hospitality staff member. I was able to pray for and serve six speakers at including Julianne Stanz, Curtis Martin, and Cardinal DiNardo! These speakers were truly humble and holy servants of God, but that wasn't what the Lord highlighted for me at this event.

To set the scene, on day four of the congress, I was able to participate in the largest Eucharistic procession in the United States in decades. I was able to walk with 600 other seminarians, but this procession was completely different from any other that I have ever experienced. Usually, the servers are at the front and the laity follow behind. There were SO. MANY. PEOPLE present that it felt legitimately like a parade instead of a procession. Laity crammed onto the sidewalks along the entire length of the route which lasted a whole mile. We walked out of the convention center expecting silence like normal, but instead cheers erupted.

The laity were so excited to see so many seminarians, and all I could think is how unworthy I was to be given the gift of this life and vocation by God. I did nothing to deserve this at all, and I am celebrated for accepting it? Oh what a time of humility it was. As we marched onwards, the reaction only increased. People were climbing parking garages to get a view of the procession. It felt like I relocated to Europe with how the Catholics basically took over the city!

With that context, we were blessed and able to process in and out of mass on the final day of the Congress. After SEEK24, I knew that there was something special about gathering for Holy Mass in a large setting like this. At a time where the Eucharist was emphasized for five straight days, it should have been obvious to me that the Lord wanted to speak to me in some new way about the most blessed sacrament. Indeed, the Lord spoke to me in a unique way that hasn't been a part of my priestly discernment. As we processed out of mass singing the best hymn of all time, O God Beyond All Praising, I looked up and just lost myself amongst the seminarians around me as well as the 50,000 laity. It was a moment of absolute joy, and I once again felt so confident in my decision to pursue my set apart, celibate vocation to the priesthood.

In that moment, as I looked at the smiles of the faithful. the thought of "Feed My Lambs" popped into my head. 

This is not a phrase that I typically pray with, especially since it was said by Jesus at one of Peter's most humbling moments. However, that is how I know it was the Lord speaking to me. We had just finished a week of discussing the Eucharist. It only makes sense that I should incorporate the Eucharistic Congress into my discernment somehow. This gave me only more confirmation that I am on the right path and that the Lord delights in using me.

As I continue to unpack this moment for days, weeks, and months, I can be assured that as long as I pursue the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, I will be on my way to perfect union with Him. I am very excited for this upcoming year of formation. So much changed in my life as a result of just one year of seminary. I can't wait to see what the Lord wants to do with me next!