Have You Told Your Children How Important the Sacraments Are To You?
I read a remark in a book the other day that has me pondering. The author suggested that perhaps one of the reasons for a shortage of vocations to the Priesthood and religious life is that increased participation by the laity in all aspects of the church has lead young people to ask themselves "If I can do all of this, why should I make the extra sacrifice to consecrate my life to the Lord in the Priesthood or religious life?"
So have you told your children not just how much you value the priests and sisters that serve our church, but how grateful you are for the Sacraments that were given to us by Jesus to be bought to us only in the hands of His priests? Do your children see how much you value the Sacrament of Confession? Mass and the Eucharist? Have you talked to them about your Confirmation and what it meant to you? Our children aren't going to want to be priests if we don't make it very clear to them that the ministry of the Priesthood is invaluable to us and that nothing can replace it.
And while I am on my soapbox, let me just make out a list of books for you to read-aloud (yes read-aloud to them....how else are you going to discuss these things with them?) to your children that will encourage a love of the Priesthood and the Sacraments:
Blessings From the Battlefield by Thomas R. O'Brien: collection of stories from Catholic military chaplains.
The Shadow of His Wings: The True Story of Fr. Gereon Goldmann by Fr. Goldmann: The story of a young German seminarian who was drafted into the SS and ends up being secretly ordained during WWII. (May be too intense for younger children.)
Christ in Dachau by John Lenz: The experiences of the many priests who were interned in Dachau in WWII. The sacrifices and risks they took to continue their recitation of the Divine Office and to say Mass are inspiring. (May be too intense for younger children.)
Pretty much anything by Mary Fabyan Windeatt. Even if a priest isn't the main character, chances are there is an inspiring one in there somewhere. Her books help to cultivate a love for the church and for the Sacraments in general.
For younger children: The Weight of a Mass by Josephine Nobisso. Highly recommended gift for First Communicants.
Some movie suggestions:
Molokai: The Story of Father Damien
And look these over too. (Pretty please.)
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