Local Churches and Vocations

The International Congress
Venerable brothers in the episcopate, dear sons and daughters throughout the world,

The celebration of the Eighteenth World Day of Prayer for Vocations this Year coincides with an important event: the inauguration of the International Congress of Bishops delegated by the Episcopal Conferences, and of Religious Superiors, Directors of Secular Institutes and other figures, to discuss the subject of the pastoral care of vocations in the local Churches.

In the first place, I would like to express my satisfaction and my gratitude to the bishops of all parts of the world who, in connection with the International Congress, have revised and published their programs for fostering vocations. I admire this noble manifestation of their pastoral care for their own dioceses, and at the same time I am pleased that they have made these laudable efforts with openness to and concern for the interests of the whole Church.


The theme of the Congress: local Churches and vocations

As we reflect on the theme of the coming Bishops’ Congress: “Local Churches and Vocations”, our thoughts and our faith encounter the mystery of Christ’s holy Church, which is present in every local Church, where a part of the People of God, in the pastoral care of the bishop assisted by his priest, lives and works.

In each of these local Churches, the Gospel is proclaimed, the Eucharist is celebrate4d, the sacraments are administered, the Lord is praised, loving service is given, human rights are defended, and the world is offered the witness of Christianity.

As at the first Pentecost and in the first communities of believers, the Holy Spirit id poured out within each local Church, unites it in fellowship to make it “of one heart and soul” (Acts 4:32), guides it in truth, enriches it with different ministries and gifts, continually renews it, and leads it to an ever more perfect union with Christ the Lord (cf. LG, 4, 23, 26).

Even the liturgical season between Easter and Pentecost that we are now living with renewed fervor invites us and assists us to gaze with faith upon this great mystery of the Church, one in her universality, and yet fully present in each of the many local Churches established among every people “to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). This gaze of faith gives rise spontaneously to various reflections and exhortation that I wish to address with cordial affection and esteem to every local World Day of Prayer for Vocations Church and to every community within it.


Vocational dimension of the local Churches

1. Every local Church must become ever more clearly aware of what it is, in the light of the mystery of the universal Church. For it is in this light of faith that the local Church finds the strength to live, strive and grow. Some believers may need to increase their knowledge in this regard.

There must be clear understanding of the nature of the vocation and mission of the People of God, as it is travels through the world towards its eternal homeland.

There must be equally clear understanding of the identity of the Bishop, Priest and the Deacon; of the nature of their precise and irreplaceable mission at the service of the People of God, and of what distinguishes these persons, who have been consecrated through Holy Orders, from the other members of the People of God.

There must be understanding, with no less charity, of the identity and the activity of the other men and women who are also consecrated, not through Holy Orders but through religious vows or other forms of religious commitment, to the service of the People of God.

This clearer understanding, in the light of faith, will impel us to thank and praise the Lord for the abundance of ministries and gifts with which he has enrich his Church.

And it will also be very useful in helping each member of the Church to reflect on her personal responsibilities, to discover his or her own personal vocation, and to be ready to serve the ecclesial community generously with the power and grace of the Holy Spirit.


Service for vocations of the local Churches

2. Each local Church, full of faith and conscious of its mission, should offer Christ the Lord all the collaboration of which it is capable in order to live, grow and constantly renew its apostolic strength.

The Second Vatican Council rightly emphasized that the duty of promoting vocations belongs to the whole Christian community (OT, 2). If the Lord has seen fit to give such great responsibility for the life and future of the Church, can we reject the honor that he bestows on us and the confidence that he places in us?


The responsibility of priests and other consecrated persons

Here, there arises a problem of conscience. No one, before God can say: Let others see to it! Of course, those who have received more must give more: priest and other consecrated persons are in the front line.

They have special responsibilities for vocations, responsibilities which they cannot ignore or neglect or delegate. They must therefore, through their lives, their example, their works, and the joy and the quality of their apostolic work, teach others, especially the young, to acquire a taste for serving the Church.

For a minister of God, for a person living a consecrated life, all of this is a question of honor, an act of fidelity to his or her own vocation, and a proof of the “authenticity” of his or her own life.


Collaboration of parents and other educators

But families and other teachers too have their own gifts of grace and the responsibilities that flows from them. They too must therefore learn to create an atmosphere of faith, communicate a taste for helping others and serving the Church, and foster readiness to accept and follow the will of the Lord. In this way young people will find less difficulty in seeking and finding the way they follow.


Prayer as extensive as the world

3. May each local Church hear in these words of famine a fresh invitation from Christ to pray the Lord of the harvest “to send out laborers into his harvest” (Mt. 9:38); Lk. 10:2).

And so, dear brothers and sons and daughters, let us join in prayer as wide as the world, as strong as our faith, as persevering as the love that the Holy Spirit has poured out into our hearts; through this prayer,

Let us praise the Lord, who has enrich the Church with the gift of the priesthood, with the many different forms of consecrated life and with numberless other graces for the building up of his people and for the service of humanity;

Let us give thanks to the Lord, who continues to send out his call, to which many young people and others, in these years and in various parts of the world, are responding with growing generosity;

Let us ask pardon of the Lord, for our weaknesses and infidelities, which perhaps discourage others form responding to his call;

Let us fervently ask the Lord to grant to pastors, to religious, to missionaries and other consecrated persons the gifts of wisdom, counsel and prudence in calling others to the total service of God and the Church; may he also grant to ever more numerous young people and others not so young the generousity and courage to respond and tyo persevere.

Let us all offer this humble and trusting prayer, entrusting it to the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church, Queen of the Clergy, the shining model of every consecrated to the service of the People of God.

From the Vatican, 15 March 1981.