In his message for this year’s World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Pope Francis said that God’s calling is inspired by hope and an invitation to embark on a journey of love and service.
The Holy Father’s message was released on March 19 as he recovers from pneumonia at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.
“Every vocation in the Church, whether lay, ordained or consecrated, is a sign of the hope that God has for this world and each of his children,” he said.
Francis said that young people, the demographic mostly urged to embrace vocations, often struggle with insecurity and identity crises, which are further aggravated by the confused messages of the digital world.
Therefore, he urged them to put their trust in God and His hope that “does not disappoint,” echoing the theme of the Jubilee Year.
“At every step of the way, He accompanies those who entrust their lives to him. Our world needs young people who are pilgrims of hope, who courageously devote their lives to Christ and rejoice in being His disciples and missionaries,” said the pope.
He pointed out that today’s world is looking for witnesses of hope who proclaim that Christ is the “true source of joy” in their lives.
The Holy Father also encouraged the youth to pause and be open to God, “who speaks to the heart.”
“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,” he said.
Furthermore, Francis reminded the adult members of the Church, particularly priests and vocation directors, to “acknowledge, discern, and accompany” young people on their vocational path.
“I urge that every effort be made to foster vocations in the various spheres of human life and activity and to help individuals spiritually open to the Lord’s voice. It is important, then, that adequate space be given to the accompaniment of vocations in educational and pastoral planning,” said the pope.
This year’s World Day of Prayer for Vocations will fall on May 11.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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