Diocese Hosted Men’s Discernment Retreat
Father Brett Brannen, Vice-Rector of Mount Saint Mary's Seminary, led
the Men's Discernment Retreat at the Catholic Center in Shreveport.
The nine men present for the Diocese of Shreveport Men’s Discernment Retreat were treated to the enlightening and inspiring conference talks of Father Brett Brannen, Vice-Rector of Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary in Emittsburg, Maryland. Mount St. Mary’s is one of the oldest seminaries in the United States and has been known for producing fine priests for more than two centuries.
The retreat began with Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael Duca at the Catholic Center Chapel in Shreveport. The bishop encouraged the men to make a good retreat. His homily earned a few chuckles as he set them at ease. He and other priests of the diocese assisted throughout the discernment weekend.
Those in attendance ranged from a senior in high school to a federal employee in his late 30’s. Some were in the first stages of discerning a vocation; others expressed the desire to enter seminary soon, should they be formally accepted by the diocese.
An atmosphere conducive to prayer, personal reflection and the counsel of available priests contributed to the success of the weekend. Talks were on topics central to discernment:
whether one is called to the priesthood, religious life, or perhaps remaining in the lay state as a faithful and active Catholic. They included talks on prayer and vocation stories narrated by the priests present, as well as talks on celibacy and other important subjects. Confessions and spiritual direction were available any time the priests were present for the retreatants.
Public prayer included Mass each day; part of the Liturgy of the Hours recited by priests, religious and some lay people daily; and Holy Hours with Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. A Marian procession closed the first evening of the retreat.
There were opportunities for questions and answers about discernment, seminary and priesthood. Fr. Brannen’s recent book on discernment, To Save a Thousand Souls, was distributed. Retreatants were urged by him to stay in close communication with the vocation director: “You cannot discern your vocation apart from the Church.”
On Saturday night, if there were any retreatants not yet sleepy at 10:30, there was an Italian movie dubbed in English on the very interesting life of St. John Bosco, the 19th century founder of the Salesian order (S.D.B.) to care for the young and the poor children of the industrial revolution. Four hours later, sleep came easy for those who braved the late night.
Judging from the positive comments from the attendees, the weekend achieved its aim – to give the young men solid information about a priestly vocation. More prayer and reflection will take them further.
Meals for the retreat were generously provided by the Knights of Columbus, men and women active in the promotion of Church vocations, and the facilities staff at the Catholic Center.
by Fr. David T. Richter, Director of Vocations
2010 Diocese of Shreveport