Representatives from the Irish National Vocations Office and Vocations Ireland are currently in Rome, attending the ‘Congress for the Pastoral Care of Vocations in Europe’.
The focus of this particular meeting is to address the final document of the Synod on Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment, and incorporate its message into vocations promotion in the context of Europe.
Speaking at the congress, Pope Francis said that the Church needs people to answer the call to consecrated life and to ordained ministry. The Holy Father outlined three core approaches to proclaiming the religious life: holiness, communion and vocation. The Pope acknowledged the work of priests, deacons, consecrated men and women, and bishops who devote themselves with integrity and dedication to the service of young people. He said that the culture these people promote is “like a great forest that quietly grows”.
Speaking today from the congress, one of the Irish representatives, Father Willie Purcell of the National Vocations Office said: “In reflecting on the final document of the Synod, the vocations directors are encouraged to support and accompany young people in pursuit of their own personal calling in life, especially to religious life.”
Father Purcell continued: “In Ireland we wish to help young people realise that each one of them has a unique calling from Christ, and we aim to support them in answering that call, particularly in the case of those who are discerning vocations to the priesthood or religious life.”
ENDS
