THE DAY OF VOCATIONS
Germany: favourable climate “The drop in vocations in our latitudes is not a law of nature”, declared Msgr. Robert Zollitsch, President of Germany’s Bishops’ Conference, on the occasion of the World Day of prayer for vocations celebrated May 3rd. “I hope that the objectives of the World Day of Prayer will become an increasingly present aspect within the daily lives of our groups, environments and parishes”, he added. “Our communities need a vocation-friendly environment, where vocations can develop and grow. The breeding-ground consists in prayer, listening to the Word and to the calling of God. The more time we devote to this, the more are we fulfilling the wish of the Holy Father, stated in the message for the World Day of Prayer, namely, the fact that Christian faithful progress in their faith in God, in the belief that ‘the Lord of harvest’ never ceases calling individuals to spontaneously devote their lives to His plan of redemption”.Ireland: Facebook tooThe diocese of Ferns in South-East Ireland will avail itself of “Facebook” social network for new priestly vocations. A group on “Facebook” will be responsible for vocations in the dioceses. “Those registered on Facebook can decide to become members of the group that discusses vocations and friends have the possibility of joining in, reaching out to others”, explained Father Odhran Furlong, member of the vocation team of the diocese of Ferns. “Social network websites are very widespread” added Fr. Furlon. “This is why it’s important for our team to make the best use of the web”. Father Furlong wasn’t sure whether Ferns is the first diocese that will avail itself of “Facebook”, although it’s the first time that he “hears about this idea”. The initiative of the diocese of Ferns follows the appeal launched a few days ago by Cardinal Brady, the Catholic Primate of Ireland, who encouraged all those who use social networks to send daily prayers via text messages, twitter – a website through which short messages can be sent – or via e-mail. “Each one of you should text a prayer as a gift”, the Primate said. “A large number of prayers will step up mutual solidarity and will remind those who receive them that others care for them”. His Eminence proposed to switch off television sets, computers and mobiles in order to pray better. Belgium: at the rootsThree hundred faithful walked all the way to the parish church of St. Etienne of Braine-l’Alleud, past May 1st. All those who are planning vocational pastoral care – young people, acolytes, priests, deacons, consecrated, seminarians – opened the Day of vocations devoting time for reception and mission in the parish church located in Brabant Wallon district. The local auxiliary bishop, Msgr. Vancotten, had given them the following mandate: “go to the roots of the calling. Along this path you will meet again your companions and your friends, today we are not marching alone; we’re listening to the Word of Christ who guides us.” The theme chosen for the Day is “God calls you to sanctity”, expressed through the presentation of personalities like Edith Stein (Saint Teresa of the Cross), Charles de Foucauld, Edward Poppe, Saint Domenico Savio, Saint Teresa d’Avila and many more. During the march participants shared moments of prayer and testimony as well as moments of fraternity together with the Church communities whom they met along the way. Many people joined in as they proceeded, and in the end all participants attended the Eucharistic celebration followed by the final Mass celebrated by Cardinal Godfried Danneels. In his homily the Cardinal recalled the figure of Damien de Veuster, whose canonization is scheduled for next autumn. The organizers said this Day for Vocations is a sign of hope in view of a new spring of vocations inside the Church.
