Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As the faithful of the Diocese of Allentown, we begin this holy season of Lent together, a sacred time to draw closer to Christ through prayer, fasting, and charity.
This year, our Lenten journey unfolds within a particularly rich moment in the life of our local Church. We are celebrating the 65th Anniversary of the founding of the Diocese of Allentown as a Marian Year and a Eucharistic Year of Grace. These blessings invite us not only to give thanks for the past, but also to look forward with faith to the future the Lord has prepared for our local Church.
At the heart of that future are Vocations to the Priesthood and Consecrated Life. The Church cannot flourish without generous men and women who are willing to give their lives entirely to Christ and His people. Through the Priesthood, Christ continues His saving work in the Sacraments, especially in the Holy Eucharist. Through the Consecrated Life, the Church is reminded of the primacy of God and the joy of total self-giving to Him.
Yet vocations do not arise by chance. They are born from prayer, nurtured in faith-filled families and parishes, and strengthened through sacrifice. For this reason, I am asking the faithful of the Diocese of Allentown to unite this Lent in a deliberate and sustained effort of prayer and fasting for vocations to the Priesthood and Consecrated Life.
In a particular way, I invite you to fast on the Fridays of Lent for this intention. Whether through abstaining from food, giving up a personal comfort, or offering another meaningful sacrifice, let this fasting be consciously directed toward asking the Lord to raise up holy, faithful, and joyful priests and consecrated men and women for our Diocese.
During this Marian Year, we turn to Mary, Mother of the Church, our Diocesan Patroness, as the model of vocational response. Her humble and courageous “yes” opened the way for our salvation. May she intercede for the young men and women of our Diocese, helping them to listen attentively to the Lord’s call and to respond with trust and generosity.
During this Eucharistic Year, may our love for the Most Holy Eucharist deepen. From the Eucharist flows every authentic vocation to the Priesthood and Consecrated Life, for it is there that Christ reveals the meaning of self-giving love. May time spent before the Blessed Sacrament inspire hearts to hear and follow His call.
I encourage our priests, deacons, religious, families, educators, and parish communities to speak openly and positively about priestly and consecrated vocations, to invite young people to consider this path, and to support them with prayer and encouragement.
As we journey through Lent toward the joy of Easter, let us unite our hearts in prayer, fasting, and sacrifice for priestly and consecrated vocations. We rejoice in the upcoming Ordination of what will be the largest class of priests in forty years for our Diocese, a testament to God’s faithfulness and to the generosity of those who have responded to His call. At the same time, we remain steadfast in prayer before the Most Blessed Sacrament, trusting that the Lord will continue to raise up new seminarians and consecrated men and women to serve His Church in the years to come.
May the Sacred Heart of Jesus, through the loving intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church and our Diocesan Patroness, bless you abundantly and guide each of us in responding generously to God’s call. United in prayer and mission, let us bring new life to the Church and joy to the world through our witness and service.
With the assurance of my prayers for you and your families during this Sacred Season of Lent, I remain,
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Alfred A. Schlert
Bishop of Allentown
