Homily of Bishop Vicente Jiménez Zamora
Bishop of Santander
SI Catedral de Santander
March 19, 2011
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph, "Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a just man, born of the lineage of David, who acted as father to the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who declined to be named son of Joseph, and he was subjected as a child to his father. The Church venerates with special honor as an employer, to whom the Lord was on his family "(Praise the Roman Martyrology).
Today we also celebrate the Day of the Seminar, with the slogan: "The priest, God's gift to the world." A Journey to thank God for the gift of priests to his Church to the life of the world and to pray for priestly vocations.
The Church places the seminars under the faithful care of San Jose, head of the household of Nazareth, where Jesus was prepared as in the first seminar in the years of her life hidden from the mission the Father had trust: a prophet, priest and king.
Today is a big day for our Diocese. Rejoice Church of Santander, in Cantabria and the pilgrims Valle de Mena, because two of your children are elected to the Order of Deacon!
Here we are with you, dear Manuel Angel and Luis Ángel: priests and our Monte Seminar Corban complete (superiors, professors, seminarians and service personnel), your parents, siblings and family members of your parishes your pastors, people and friends, especially young people, of the Diocese and elsewhere. We want to tuck, to join you in thanking God and praying for you. I congratulate you, the seminar and your families.
Solemnity of St. Joseph
The Church celebrates the feast of San Jose in the season of Lent. It is not an obstacle on the way to Easter, but a help to deepen the mystery of the plan of salvation. In the liturgy of this day there are three characters: David, Abraham and Joseph, united by the common denominator of service to God's plans. And it corresponds well with the ministry of the deacon, whose job is to serve.
God promises his servant David offspring which will be born the Messiah (1 Lect.). Joseph, husband of Mary, is the last link in the offspring of David. It is just and faithful man that the Lord put in front of the family of Nazareth (Ev.). Joseph as the new Abraham is the believer who believed against hope, and faithfully served God's plans (2 Lect.).
Deacon Ministry
Dear Luis Angel and Manuel Angel: Now you are going to be ordained deacons, should you consider carefully what accedéis ministry in the Church.
Strengthened by the gift of the Holy Spirit, you will help the bishop and his priests in the notice a word in the service of the altar and the ministry of charity, by showing all servers. As ministers of the altar proclaim the Gospel only prepare the sacrifice and the faithful shall divide the Body and Blood of Christ.
also commissioned by the bishop, the faithful exhortaréis, teaching the holy doctrine; presidiréis sentences; administraréis Baptism; asistiréis and bless the marriage, shall bear the allowance presidiréis the dying and funeral rites.
deacons In your condition, ie, servants of Jesus Christ, who was among the server disciples, following God's will gladly and washing the feet of the apostles, serve with love and joy to both God and men. And no one can serve two masters, keep in mind that any impurity or desire for money is slavery to idols.
Al free access to the Order of Deacon, as well as those men chosen by the Apostles to the ministry of charity, of which we speak the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 6: 1-7); you also must testify to the good, filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom.
The seminar and the work of vocations
To get to this point, I have prepared a long time in the seminary is a school of fidelity to Christ, his Church and his own vocation and mission. So today is also a holiday for the family of the Seminar (Rector, Trainers, Teaching staff, seminarians, service personnel).
Today is a day of harvest of mature fruits in the vocation of thanksgiving to God for the gift that makes us. Hopefully promise and portent of new vocations to the minor and major seminaries for the priesthood.
From here I make a call to continue working together for the vocations to the priesthood, consecrated life and the commitment of the lay Christian. We need these vocations in our Diocese of Santander and the universal Church needs.
The Lord said to the preachers sent to the fields: "The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest" (Mt 9, 38) . Therefore, upon hearing these words, we can not help but feel some concern, because we must recognize that while there are people, children, youth and adults who want to hear good things are missing, sometimes, those engaged in show (cf. St. Gregory the Great, Hom 17 on the Gospels).
Vocations exist, but must be sought. God calls his love free enterprise. But he wants to call by our people. There should be no fear of proposing to a young person directly, or less young, the Lord's call. God is always calling, but it is necessary to promote listening to his call and encourage generosity and courage of the response. Search for vocations is also proposing them.
Christ usually called by us and our word. Therefore, do not be afraid to call. Introduced among the young. Id personally to meet them and knock. The mission vocations is all and is "designed to care for the birth, discernment and support of vocations, including vocations to the priesthood" (PDV 34).
Conclusion
In the Eucharist we are celebrating Christ's sacrifice upgrade your faithful service to the Father's will and generous men.
May the Immaculate Virgin, Mother of Christ, in his vocation of giving and generosity, is a mirror of life and vocation. To her we entrust our Workshop Monte Corban, the work of priestly vocations, and the ministry of deacon now begin our brothers, Manuel Angel and Luis Angel, who would give a warm and earnest congratulations.
May the Eucharist, in which we participate, sacramentally represents the ultimate act of service of Christ, offering to the Father for us, as gift and task for our lives. Amen.
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