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Dear Friends and Colleagues,
It is a decade since Rome published New Vocations for a New Europe - In Verbo Tuo, the Final Document of the European Congress on Vocations to the Priesthood and Consecrated life. This document sees these specific vocations naturally blossoming in a Church community which truly values and promotes the general baptismal vocation and universal call to holiness in its Fullness. It also calls for the Church in Europe to rediscover and re-create a strong culture of vocation and to reinvigorate the pastoral work for vocations, not by periodic initiatives, but as part of the totality of life in the Church.
This year the Holy Father’s letter for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations focuses on the link between vocation and evangelization. Once an individual has heard and responded to the Good News in baptism, they then live out their vocation as a member of the Church; and being a member of the Church they now also have the vocation to evangelize. Pope John Paul II called for a new evangelization; In Verbo Tuo goes hand in hand with this, challenging us to journey-on together with renewed hope and fresh vision, living our vocation as a Church which is both ‘called’ and ‘calling’. Maybe insufficient attention has been paid to the latter.
Maybe now is a good opportunity to take stock of how the Christian vocation is promoted in the parish or community that you serve. For example, is their a clear vocational strand running through sacramental catechesis, homilies, work with young people and marriage preparation? Is there a ‘culture of vocation’ which encourages individuals to actively appreciate and reflect on their vocation so as to be able make concrete life-choices? Are suitable individuals invited to consider specific vocations such as priesthood and consecrated life?
Thank you for all the work you do throughout the year to help others to appreciate their own vocations as they see you living out your own. Please continue to pray for vocations to priesthood and consecrated life.
With all good wishes,
Fr. Paul Embery
Director, National Office for Vocation