By Archbishop Salvatore Joseph Cordileone
Each one of you is a unique pilgrim on a spiritual journey, and I pray that you make time for spiritual renewal and reconciliation during this special Jubilee Year of Hope. The very first day of November in our Catholic tradition points us toward the saints for inspiration as we celebrate these icons of sanctity and their lives of faithful service. The Church also calls on us throughout this month to remember our departed loved ones as we dedicate November to prayer for the repose of the souls in purgatory.
The November issue of Catholic San Francisco magazine reinforces these themes with inspirational stories such as the one on page 16, which highlights how devotion to St. Padre Pio has transformed parish life at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Redwood City.
The Church gives us saints who can be our advocates for various needs. As residents of the San Francisco Bay Area, it would be helpful to know the patron saint of earthquakes and other natural disasters. Do you know the name of this saint? He was named as the secondary patron of the Archdiocese of San Francisco in 1922 by Archbishop Edward Hanna, and we have a parish named after him located between San Francisco State University and City College of San Francisco. Still guessing? Turn to page 24 to read about this remarkable intercessor.
Vocations
November is also the month in which we celebrate National Vocations Awareness Week (Nov. 2-8), offering prayer and support for those who are considering the vocation of the priesthood, diaconate or consecrated life.
Pope Leo XIV spoke to priests on the topic of vocations in July and shared the importance of fostering environments for young people to consider vocations. The Holy Father said, “There needs to be adequate spaces in which to hear His voice …. where vocations to total self-giving can manifest themselves and mature. Have the courage to make strong and liberating proposals! Looking at the young people who in our time say their generous ‘here I am’ to the Lord, we all feel the need to renew our ‘yes,’ to rediscover the beauty of being missionary disciples in following Christ, the Good Shepherd.”
Reflecting on the life that God desires for us, I am reminded of St. John’s account of his vision of heaven in the Book of Revelation where he said, “I … saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” Our life in God is a marriage where the two become one but retain their individual integrity. They remain who they are and yet are truly one. He gives this life to us as a gift won by the price of the blood of His only begotten Son. Yet, it is a gift to which we must respond for it to benefit us, and for this, God gives us a vocation. He gives us a common Christian vocation of discipleship in His Son and to each one a personal vocation by which He calls us to serve Him, each one according to the unique circumstances of their respective lives. It is by persevering in the vocation that God has given us that we arrive at the doorstep of the new Jerusalem, the life of heaven, our life in God.
We find true happiness in giving our lives for the service of others. Keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). A brief review of the vocations of marriage, Holy Orders and consecrated life can be found on page 20.
One of the best ways for those exploring their vocation in life is to bring their anxieties, hopes and aspirations to our Lord Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Spending time alone in silent reflection with Him can spark inspirations that border on the magnificent. Our cover story on page 8 is a profound example of what can happen, even late in life, when the grace of God infuses us with His love to produce the “good and beautiful” for the greater glory of God.
