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Why the
Anchor?
 This
image of an anchor is used throughout this website, on the Vocations
Office letterhead, and the stickers distributed in schools. It
is loaded with symbolism.
When early Christians were being
persecuted in the first centuries of the Church, they relied on
symbols to communicate the faith. The boat was a common image
of the Church, led by fishermen, working together in rough times.
Similarly, the anchor became a sign of hope, keeping the boat safe
in harbor. The anchor also had a cross-like form, so the
allusion to the Cross of Christ was subtly present. The rope
in this image also hints at a Christ-figure on the cross.
This image was adopted by the
Vocations Office for a couple of reasons. Pope Benedict XVI
has warned us that relativism and subjectivity are like dangerous
waves crashing around us. The Church is our place of safety in
these times. As the Church struggles to produce more vocations
to the priesthood and religious life, the image of the anchor
reminds us of two scriptures:
The
Letter to the Hebrews, which contains these words of promise:
"We who have taken refuge might be
strongly encouraged to hold fast to the hope
that lies before us. This we have as
an anchor of the soul, sure and firm,
which reaches into the interior
behind the veil, where Jesus has entered on our behalf
as forerunner, becoming high priest
forever according to the order of Melchizedek."
(Hebrews 6: 18-20)
Also,
consider the words of God to the prophet Jeremiah,
"For I know well the plans I have in mind
for you, says the Lord.
Plans for your welfare not your woe, plans
to give you a a future full of hope."
(Jeremiah 29:11)
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