Dear brother Knights,

The month of January brings to a close the Christmas season, with the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord, and those famous words that our Heavenly Father spoke when Jesus arose from the waters of the Jordan: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” The baptismal grace of sonship (becoming sons of God), and being freed from original sin, bestows upon us our fundamental vocation in life – to become truly a son of God, means that we are called to holiness. We are called to become saints, which is the fulfillment of our relationship with God our Father. Yet, this grace carries with it tremendous responsibility. If my fundamental and most basic relationship in life is that of a beloved son of God – what difference does this identity make in my life? Does it change the way I speak? Does it influence the way I spend my time? Would my co-workers, and other friends, know that I see myself as a beloved son of God in the witness of my life? These are challenging questions indeed, and we will spend a lifetime working them through – but always with the help of God’s grace. As we begin this Year of Mercy, proclaimed by Pope Francis, let us allow the merciful gaze of the Father to bring to our minds and hearts once again, the fact that we are His beloved sons. This is our vocation!

Fr. Patrick Beneteau

Director of Vocations and Seminarians

Diocese of London