Pope releases World Prayer Day for Vocations message early

In perhaps another sign that he is not willing to be limited by his hospital bed, Pope Francis has released his prepared message for the forthcoming 62nd World Day of Prayer for Vocations that will occur on 11 May.

In his statement released 19 March, the Pope describes how “a vocation in the Church” is not limited to those who pursue ordination to become priest; everyone can experience a form of vocation, the pontiff says, “whether lay, ordained or consecrated”.

He explains: “Every vocation confirms us in our mission of being Christ’s presence wherever light and consolation are most needed. In a particular way, the lay faithful are called to be the ‘salt, light and leaven’ of the Kingdom of God through their social and professional commitments.”

He notes that many young people “feel dismayed as they look to the future”, while highlighting the value of “a call to leave ourselves behind [in a vocation] and embark on a journey of love and service”.

The pontiff adds: “Often they experience insecurity about their prospects of employment and a profound identity crisis, a crisis of meaning and values, which the confused messages of the digital world only aggravate.

“The unjust treatment of the poor and vulnerable, the indifference of a complacent and self-centred society, and the brutality of war all threaten the hopes for a fulfilling life that young people cherish in their hearts.

“Yet the Lord, who knows the human heart, does not abandon us in our uncertainty. He wants us to know that we are loved, called and sent as pilgrims of hope.”

The Pope says adult members of the Church, and priests in particular, are called to acknowledge, discern and accompany the young on their vocational path, before the Holy Father addresses young people directly:

“You, young people, for your part, are called to set out on that path, together with the Holy Spirit, who awakens in you the desire to make your lives a gift of love.”

The Pope notes how every vocation is “inspired by hope, marked by confident trust in God’s providence”.

He continues: “For Christians, hope is more than mere human optimism: it is a certainty based on our faith in God, who is at work in each of our lives. Vocations mature through the daily effort to be faithful to the Gospel, and through prayer, discernment and service.”

In his statement, the Pope also laments how the world pushes young people to make “hasty decisions” and “bombards” them with a constant “blare” that prevents the young from experiencing “a silence that is open to God who speaks to the heart”.

He advises: “Have the courage to pause, to listen to what your heart tells you, and to ask God about his dreams for you. The silence of prayer is indispensable if we are to learn how to hear God’s call amid the specific circumstances of our lives and to respond consciously and freely.”

Prayerful recollection, the Pope goes on to highlight, helps Christians to realise that all can be “pilgrims of hope” if they make their lives a gift, especially “by placing ourselves at the service of those who live on the world’s material and existential peripheries”.

“Those who heed God’s call cannot turn a deaf ear to the cry of so many of our brothers and sisters who feel excluded, wounded and abandoned,” the Pope emphasises.

A Vatican document released in 2024 noted that the number of priests around the world stood at 407,730 in 2022, reports Crux.

Photo: Ordinations taking place in St. Peter’s Basilica under the watch of Pope Francis in the Vatican. (Credit: Vatican Media, via Crux.)

The post Pope releases World Prayer Day for Vocations message early first appeared on Catholic Herald.

The post Pope releases World Prayer Day for Vocations message early appeared first on Catholic Herald.