Evangelizing is going viral with Catholic memes.

Pop culture and faith collide in these visually popping images with ironic and often funny concepts called “memes” that Catholics are also utilizing to spread the good news of the Gospel.  The National Catholic Register gives us some great tips on how to appropriately exercise our evangelization skills with the help of social media. #whatwouldjesusdo 

FATHER PHAM with his mother after his ordination in May of last year.

On May 5th 2012 Ducanh Pham was one of three Franciscan Friars from the Sacred Heart Province to be ordained to the priesthood. Happy one year anniversary, Father Pham, O.F.M.! Here is a look at the celebration of the ordinations at St. Peter’s Church in Chicago, IL. 

Perhaps you remember Father Duc Pham as Brother Duc Pham as VISION featured him in this article that described his journey to the Franciscans as being “tricked” into it by God.

Father Pham reflects on his ordination in 2012 by saYing, “As I begin my priestly ministry, my heart is joyous at the opportunity to return the blessing and kindness which I have received—to be an instrument of God’s grace, peace and reconciliation in the world following the examples of so many kindhearted people who have given of themselves to help others. May the God of mercy bless us all!”

“Principal Peggy Wertz and I worked alongside a great illustrator and saw Becoming Sister Mary Grace come alive,” said Father Kirby, vicar of vocations for the Diocese of Charleston, S.C. Wertz is principal of St. Mary Help of Christians School in Aiken, S.C., where illustrator Alice Judd is an art teacher.

The book is dedicated to the girls who were part of the St. Cecilia Vocation Club at Mary Help of Christians School when the book was begun. Those girls are now juniors and seniors in high school.

Natalie Gorensek, a junior, was really excited at the launch of the book and stated that, “Everyone knows about marriage and priests, but not everyone knows about nuns. So it’s important we have vocation clubs to get the word out that being a sister is interesting and cool. … Knowing other options (of vocations) is really helpful in spiritual development." 

To read more about the book Becoming Sister Mary Grace, check out the artilce published in the National Catholic Register and let us continue to pray and encourage vocations throughout the world. 

World Youth Day 2013 in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil will be here before we know it! How are you preparing? How are you celebrating? Read how many pilgrims celebrated the 100 day countdown here.

50th anniversary; instituted by Pope Paul VI during the Second Vatican Council.

This past fourth Sunday of Easter (April 21^st), also known as Good Shepherd Sunday, marked the 50^th Anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Pope Francis’ celebration included the ordinations of 10 new priests in the Diocese of Rome.

Catholic News Service shares moving highlights of Pope Francis' homily. “The voice of Jesus is unique,” Pope Francis said. “If we learn to distinguish it, he will guide us on the path of life, a path that leads us even beyond the abyss of death.”

The USCCB encourages us to “pray that young men and women hear and respond generously to the Lord's call to the priesthood, diaconate, religious life, societies of apostolic life or secular institutes.” 

PART of the crowd at a Mercy Shrine festival. © 2013 Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M.

Divine Mercy Sunday weekend festivities, April 6-7, at the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy, home of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception on Eden Hill in Stockbridge, Mass. Attend along with thousands of pilgrims. Volunteer.

Holy Thursday foot washing rite.

Holy Thursday marks the first of the three holiest days of the Triduum leading us to Easter. The events of the day now and in Jesus time keep true to an action packed celebration. Simply put, Holy Thursday remembers the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his Apostles. Catholic New Agency beautifully reflects on this complex and profound celebration that also celebrates the institution of priesthood.

Britain’s Queen takes part in Maundy Thursday by giving Maundy coins to deserving senior citizens.

Pope Francis humbly serves the poorest of the poor by washing the feet of twelve juvenile inmates that mirrors Jesus’ washing of the twelve Apostles.

Finally, the USCCB instructs us that the washing of the feet serves, “as a sign of the new commandment that Christians should love one another.”

How will the actions of the events of the Last Supper come alive for you today? How will you live the new commandment to love one another?

Rome will be the destination for an international pilgrimage to the tomb of St. Peter, July 4-7 for novices, seminarians, and those on a vocational journey. Part of the Year of Faith activities, the event will include visits to Christian sites, prayer, celebration, worship, and vocational testimonials and will culminate with Mass led by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square. Registration is required; find out more online.

From a story by Veronica Scarisbrick on Vatican Radio: Pope Francis has chosen the motto Miserando atque eligendo, meaning "lowly but chosen," which in Latin means "by having mercy, by choosing him."

The motto is one the pope had already chosen as a bishop. It is taken from the homilies of the Venerable Bede on Saint Matthew's gospel relating to his vocation: "Jesus saw the tax collector and by having mercy chose him as an Apostle saying to him: Follow me."

This homily, which focuses on divine mercy and is reproduced in the Liturgy of the Hours on the Feast of Saint Matthew, has taken on special significance in the Pope's life and spiritual journey.

It was on the Feast of Saint Matthew in 1953 that a young 17 year-old Jorge Bergoglio was touched by the mercy of God and felt the call to religious life in the footsteps of Saint Ignatius of Loyola and entered the Jesuit order.

Beyond the motto, the coat of arms has a blue field and is surmounted by the mitre and the papal keys. On the crest itself at the centre is the symbol of the Jesuits, a flaming sun with the three letters recalling the name and the salvific mission of Jesus. Underneath we have two more symbols: to the right the star representing Mary and to the left the nard flower representing Joseph.

In being a member of a religious order and the first Jesuit elected pope, Pope Francis joins 33 other pontiffs who came from religious communities: Here is the list, thanks to a Wikipedia entry on popes:

• Benedictines (17):-
  • Gregory I, Boniface IV, Adeodatus II, Leo IV, John IX, Leo VII, Stephen IX, Gregory VII, Victor III, Urban II, Paschal II, Gelasius II, Celestine V, Clement VI, Urban V, Pius VII
• and including Camaldolese (1):-
  • Gregory XVI
• Augustinians (6):-
  • Eugene IV
• and including Canons Regular (5):-
  • Honorius II, Innocent II, Lucius II, Gregory VIII, Adrian IV
• Dominicans (4):-
  • Innocent V, Benedict XI, Pius V, Benedict XIII
• Franciscans (4):-
  • Nicholas IV, Sixtus IV
• and including Conventual Franciscans (2):-
  • Sixtus V, Clement XIV
• Cistercians (2):-
  • Eugene III, Benedict XII
• Jesuits (1):-
  • Francis I

  Learn more about these communities in VISION's Community Search.

With the papal election now underway, the news media are dredging any number of papal-election history tidbits, including one about the longest ever, in 1268, when it took almost three years to elect Pope Gregory X. From that one we get the term conclave - "with key": It was going on so long that local officials locked the electors in with minimal food, water, and amenities to encourage a decision. Times - and accomodations - have changed, and these days cardinals don't take long to elect a pope; no conclave since 1831 has lasted longer than five days (thanks you Fr. Tom Reese, S.J. for that fact).

CREDIT: CAGLE CARTOONS.

You can follow the Sistine Chapel chimney for the tell-tale smoke by live video and at @PapalSmokeStack or sign up for election alerts at Popealarm.com and at one of many apps, but don't expect any tweeting cardinals. They're all sworn, and I quote their oath, "not to break this secret in any way, either during or after the election of the new Pontiff, unless explicit authorization is granted by the same Pontiff."

Interested in how the cardinals vote? How about the conclave schedule?

Mother Mary Joseph in her office at the Sisters’ Motherhouse, Maryknoll, NY, 1941

 

The founder of the Maryknoll Sisters, Mother Mary Joseph Rogers, MM, has been named one of nine American women to be inducted in 2013 into the National Women’s Hall of Fame (NWHF).

Mother Mary Joseph, whose “extraordinary achievements were recognized and applauded” by all the judges, according to NWHF deputy director Amanda Bishop, will join the 247 eminent women who have been inducted into the Hall since its founding in 1969. Among others included in this year’s list were Betty Ford and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi.

“We are thrilled and honored by Mother Mary Joseph’s selection,” said Sister Janice McLaughlin, MM, president of Maryknoll Sisters, and happy for the recognition it gives to our founder who achieved so much, not only for women religious, but for all American women, at a time when possibilities for them were far more limited than they are today.

“Mary Josephine Rogers, as she was called prior to joining religious life, broke through the negative stereotypes about the role of American Catholic women in church and society at the beginning of the 20th century,” Sister Janice said. “As founder of the first American mission congregation of Catholic women, she proved that women were equal to the demands of life and ministry abroad, particularly in places where poverty, physical hardship and sometimes, even safety during wartime, were commonplace.”

Mother Mary Joseph drew from a lifetime of spiritual depth when she stressed the need for the sisters to be compassionate women, adaptable and willing to try new ways without fear of failure or censure, according to a release put out by Maryknoll. Above all, she emphasized the primacy of a holy life.

Today, Maryknoll Sisters serve in 26 nations around the world, ministering to all people in need. Their numbers include doctors and nurses; authors, artists and dancers; social workers, ecologists and peace activists; theologians and spokespersons to the United Nations.Learn more about the Maryknoll Sisters here.

Religion News Service has outdone itself with its "Sweet Sistine" March Madness Pontiff Picks brackets. Make your best guess for first round picks by March 1.

RNS March Madness, Sweet Sistine Bracket.  Who is your pick for the next Pope?

November is named Black Catholic History Month in the United States, but many parishes around the country are celebrating and remembering African Americans with Eucharistic celebrations and reflections in February as well.

Firstly, The National Black Catholic Congress newsletter this month features Robert Boxie’s vocation story and journey to Rome from Louisiana.

"We hold ourselves accountable to our baptismal commitment to witness and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ."	Robert Boxie pictured in Rome, Italy where he continues his seminary studies at the Pontifical North American College (NAC).

 

Secondly, the Archdiocese of Washington gives a great description of Black Catholic History Month along with a list of Catholic ancestors of African descent who have laid the foundation for our faith:

St. Augustine, St. Monica, Charles Lwanga, Lena Edwards Madison, Archbishop Eugene A. Marino, SSJ, Dr. Thomas Wyatt Turner, Daniel Rudd, Pierre Toussaint, Sr. Thea Bowman, St. Benedict the Moor, Llewellyn Scott, Pope St. Victor, Pope St. Gelasius, St. Martin de Porres, St. Rose of Lima, Sts. Perpetua and Felicitas, Nathan Jones, Fr. Joseph Davis, St. Cyprian, St. Catherine of Alexandria, St. Moses the Black, Fr. Charles Uncles, SSJ, Fr. Augustus Tolton, Dr. Katherine W. Cole, Robert L. Robinson, Mathias de Sousa, Bishop Carl Fisher, Archbishop James Lyke.

Finally, The Office for Black Catholics, Archdiocese of Chicago, newsletter The Drum, features , “Faces in Black History” and a “What’s Happening this Month” section with celebrations that honor and remember Black Catholics.

How are your parishes incorporating Black History Month? How will your parishes remember Black Catholic History Month in November?

 

We are one week into Lent and the VISION editors want to know how you are keeping up with your Lenten promises! 

Join our Lenten Check-in Photo Contest via our Facebook page and show us your Lenten practice in action. Or enter directly below.



http://promoshq.wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/315585

We want pictures of those French Fries you aren't eating, or that church you’re making a visit to each morning! The more creative the better. 

Winner of this contest automatically becomes a contender for the “Best of VISION post" to be featured in the in the next addition of Vision Vocation Guide.

You have until March 23rd to submit your entry and will be notified on Holy Thursday if you are the lucky winner. 

Good luck and get posting! May the best photo win! 

"White Monks: A Life in Shadows" - Photographs of life within three Trappist monasteries in Spain by photographer Francesca Phillips.

PHOTO from "White Monks" exhibition. © 2013 Guardian News and Media.

Some samples. The exhibition can be seen at Holy Trinity Church, Sloane Street, London until March 9.

We are excited to announce that our friends over at A Nun's Life Ministry have recently launched their newly refurbished website and it is incredible. 

A Nun's Life Ministry has been working hard to create a website that is accesible and functional for all its users. Today, the sisters will be hosting a LIVE website tour to show off their wonderful new site. The streaming audio and video tour will begin at 6 p.m. Central Time. The chat room will be open too, so you can interact with the sisters and with other folks during the tour.

Some of the new features include: 

• New designs by Ann Betts
• New Podcasts by the Sisters called "Random Nun Clips!"
• New videos that highlight the sisters and all they do
• Easier navigation features to help you find exactly what you are looking for

Make sure to check out the website and join the sisters tonight for their special podcast. Way to go sisters!! 

Our Lady of Socavon statue atop a 12,000-foot mountain south of La Paz, Bolivia, passes the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil by 22 feet to become the “world’s largest Marian statue.” The patroness of miners, Our Lady of Socavon’s original statue is found at a diocesan shrine in the city of Oruro.  

Rolando Rocha, the lead sculptor for the project, told the Catholic News Agency that more than simply “a work of engineering and art,” the monument “is an act of faith that strengthens our traditions.”

Our Lady of Socavon, Pray for Us.

A footnote to the discovery-of-the-bones-of-King-Richard-III story: He was buried by the Franciscan Grey Friars at their church in Leicester, 100 miles north of London. The church was closed and demolished after King Henry VIII dissolved English monasteries in 1538.

A nice reflection from a Sisters of Mercy candidate on "My Journey to Becoming a Sister of Mercy." "I wish my decision to pursue religious life was a single moment that I could describe to you but I grew into it, or maybe it would be more accurate to say it grew into me."