What is your contribution to the Vocation culture?

EAO Region - Formation, 8 April 2020 -- On the eve of Holy Thursday, when we give thanks for the gift of the Eucharist and the Priesthood, it's a good time also to spend time in adoration to pray for the vocation response of all disciples of Jesus for the young people around our EAO region and around the world. Many are called, but only a few reply to the call of God.

Each vocation call comes from God, but the vocation response depends on our human limitations. During the GC28 we were listening to the strong invitation to foster the Salesian cocation culture: from 'vocation recruitment' to 'vocation agri-culture' that includes the personal accompaniment of all young people who are within our reach in and out of our Salesian settings.

But what is the first trigger of our vocation culture? We know, that our 'good example of committed Salesian consecrated life' is not enough. Young people expect not only the attraction of dedicated Salesians, but also our invitation and many times also our long-term accompaniment. Without a life-transforming prayer for vocations, this culture is impossible to build up.

Already the first successor of Don Bosco, Blessed Michael Rua at his death-bed, whispered a short prayer for vocations that helps each Salesian to move day by day as 'vocation promoter'.

Blessed Michael Rua consecrated the Salesian Congregation to the Sacred Heart on 31 December 1899 and on that occasion, had sent to all the houses an “Instruction” about this devotion. He underlined its importance especially for the houses of formation and asked that the novitiates be dedicated to Him. A few days before he died Fr. Rua asked Fr. Francis Cerutti that a prayer to the Sacred Heart for vocations be composed. The prayer below was presented to him, which he approved, then recited it and asked that a copy be placed under his pillow.

The Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (O Cor Iesus Sacratissimo) and many other 'small daily signs' are helping our confreres and lay mission partners to build our vocation culture: "O Cor Jesu Sacratissimum, ut bonos et dignos operarios piae Salesianorum Societati mittere et in ea conservare digneris. Te rogamus audi nos!" (Lyrics Blessed Michael Rua, Music: Fr Carreno)

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,

guide into the Salesian Congregation many good and zealous apostles

and help them to persevere

in their vocation.

We humbly pray.

Related news articles:

• AustraLasia 5170: The Rector Major's presence sparkles Salesian identity (Taiwan 2019)
• AustraLasia 4933 (III) Relaunching the Vocation culture (Philippines 2019)

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