“The entire People of God is responsible for promoting vocations, and does so chiefly by persistent and humble prayer for vocations,” (Pope John Paul II)
Br. John Mary Lugemwa, OSB has been named the new Vocation Director at Mary Mother of the Church Abbey. Br. John Mary, 30, a native of Uganda, has been a monk for eight years and is currently in the priestly formation program at Saint Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. He has previously attended Saint John’s University where he earned degrees in Computer Science and Philosophy. Prior to joining the monastery, John Mary was a law student at Makerere University in Uganda. Br. John Mary is Abbey’s webmaster and also coordinates a Ministry supporting AIDS orphans, impoverished youths and women in his home country through the Uganda Rural Fund, a nonprofit he founded in 2005.
“This appointment took me by surprise. It is not a job I was anticipating at this time nor do I feel to be the most competent candidate for it. But I suppose, when you put yourself at God’s disposal you got be ready for any mission at any time. Doesn’t he tell us to always be prepared! Just like the apostles, they were caught off guard, but they said yes and followed Christ. More so is the great example of our Lady, the Blessed Mother; she did not anticipate being entrusted with the greatest responsibility of birthing and nurturing the Son of God, but with all humility, she gracefully accepted the call. Being a vocation director is a challenging job but I am anxiously looking forward to this exciting and humbling experience working with men discerning the path God is calling them to take in their lives. “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few” (Luke 10:2). So, here I come, entrusted with the duty of inviting more laborers to the Lord’s vineyard. It is God who does his work through me; so with his grace, and guidance of the Holy Spirit, I am excited about the challenge.”
“It is our common responsibility as the faithful to nurture and promote vocations—vocations to family life or religious life, and it all starts in the family. “The entire People of God is responsible for promoting vocations, and does so chiefly by persistent and humble prayer for vocations,” (Pope John Paul II, Ecclesia in America, No. 40). We all bear the responsibility to live out our vocations in ways that inspires young men and women to admire family life or religious life. Let us work together in this task of inviting more laborers to the Lord’s vineyard, first by setting good example and passing on the faith,” Says Br. John Mary.
Prayer to Follow the Call of Christ
Lord, I thank You for the gifts You have given me, especially for life, love, family and friends.
Help me to know myself better and to know my talents, as I pray, study and decide on my life’s work.
Help me to see and understand the path You open for me. Help me choose a life’s work which will be in response to my potential and your love for me.
If I am being invited to follow You as a priest, brother, sister, give me a generous heart to respond to your challenging call and the strength to follow You wherever You lead me.
Amen.
Men discerning a vocation to religious life please visit the Abbey’s Vocation webpage at www.richmondmonks.org/vocations. You can reach Br. John Mary at 804.482.1412 or by email at brjohnmary@richmondmonks.org