Pope Francis Message for Vocation Sunday 2019

By Our Own Correspondent
Slides by Fr. Garry Carbon, CIN province

Vatican City, 7 May 2019 -- "Take the risk in following God's promise!" - as a Salesian Family we are very grateful for and attracted by this year's Vocation Sunday Message of Pope Francis. He helps us to overcome the old paradigm of recruitment and helps us to embark on the accompaniment-oriented paths of 'Vocation Culture', when we journey with all the youth entrusted to us. We are called to help them discover God's dream for each one of them!

Thanks to the patient and consistent work of a Taiwan-based missionary, we have again the social media friendly version of this message in 9 slides. Thanks!

This year Pope Francis continues his dialogue with the young people which he started during World Youth Day in Panama (January 2019): 'God asks you the courage to take a risk, with Him and for Him!" Following are a few highlights from Pope Francis' message, full text available also on Boscolink:

"As with every call, the Gospel speaks of an encounter. Jesus walks by, sees those fishermen, and walks up to them... The same thing happened when we met the person we wanted to marry, or when we first felt the attraction of a life of consecration: we were surprised by an encounter, and at that moment we glimpsed the promise of a joy capable of bringing fulfilment to our lives. That day, by the sea of Galilee, Jesus drew near to those fishermen, breaking through the “paralysis of routine”

The Lord’s call is not an intrusion of God in our freedom; it is not a “cage” or a burden to be borne. On the contrary, it is the loving initiative whereby God encounters us and invites us to be part of a great undertaking.

Embracing this promise naturally demands the courage to risk making a decision. The first disciples, called by Jesus to be part of something greater, “immediately left their nets and followed him” (Mk 1:18). Responding to the Lord’s call involves putting ourselves on the line and facing a great challenge. It means being ready to leave behind whatever would keep us tied to our little boat.

In encountering the Lord, some may feel the attraction of a call to the consecrated life or to the ordained priesthood.

And yet, there can be no greater joy than to risk one’s life for the Lord! I would like to say this especially to you, the young. Do not be deaf to the Lord’s call. If he calls you to follow this path, do not pull your oars into the boat, but trust him. Do not yield to fear, which paralyzes us ..."

At the end of the message, Pope Francis invites us to say our 'YES' with Mary...

Full text of Vocation Sunday Message - Pope Francis 2019

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