Unsplash
CV NEWS FEED // The Archdiocese of Hartford’s “Called by Name” initiative has sparked renewed excitement for vocations, with Archbishop Christopher J. Coyne sending personal letters inviting nominees to discern a calling to the priesthood, religious life, or diaconate.
According to a report from the Diocese of Norwich, the initiative took place in parishes across the Archdiocese in June. Parishioners nominated individuals they believe could be future priests, deacons, or religious brothers and sisters.
Beginning in August, Archbishop Coyne sent out letters to the nominees, encouraging them to begin a formal discernment process, which will involve spiritual guidance to help them explore God’s plan for their lives.
The report shared that over 500 nominations, which were “reviewed for appropriateness for a vocation within the Catholic Church” were sent from 63 parishes. Nearly three in four nominations were for priesthood. Fourteen percent were for religious and consecrated life, and 12% were for the diaconate. More nominations will be sent out in the fall.
Father Anthony Federico, the Archdiocese’s vocations and seminarians director, shared that the feedback has been deeply moving, as family members and fellow parishioners expressed their faith in these individuals’ potential to serve the Church.
“It was heartwarming to read the nominations,” Fr. Federico stated, according to the report. “Parents nominating their children, wives nominating their husbands to be deacons, siblings noticing something special in each other, [and] many from grandparents.”
“I am very hopeful that we will have a huge response,” he continued.
The diocese of Norwich shared that Fr. Federico credited the active role the members of the parishes took in the initiative for its success, and thanked all those that nominated someone.
“The work of finding [vocations] does not belong to any one person,” Fr. Federico stated in the report. “Called by Name gives every parishioner at every parish a chance to participate in the exciting new movement of the Holy Spirit currently taking place in the Archdiocese of Hartford.”
