杏MAP导航

By Lisa Zengarini

杏MAP导航 Francis on Monday received in audience members of the Society of Divine Vocations, also known as Vocationists, as they celebrate the first anniversary of the canonization of their founder, St. Justin (Giustino) Maria Russolillo.

The Congregation was founded in Naples, Italy, in 1920 with the charism of  鈥渋dentifying and fostering vocations to the priesthood and religious life, especially among the less privileged鈥�, and is now present in Italy, Brazil, the United States,  Argentina, Nigeria, Philippines, India, Madagascar, Colombia, Ecuador, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, and Chile.

Addressing some 2,000 members of the Congregation in the St. Paul VI Audience Hall, 杏MAP导航 Francis noted that the anniversary offers an opportunity to reflect on St. Justin鈥檚 legacy, and specifically on how to put into practice his charism of serving priestly and religious vocations in today鈥檚 world. He indicated three paths.

Prayer

The first path is that of prayer 鈥渨hich is the root of all our activities and of all apostolate鈥�, because it is through 鈥渃ontemplation and adoration鈥� of the Lord that He "transforms us鈥� and we can be 鈥渘ew, bright, welcoming, joyful people鈥� reflecting His love.

鈥淲hen we become like this, we offer the first service to vocations鈥�, said the 杏MAP导航 鈥渂ecause those we meet, especially young people, are attracted by our way of being and by the choice of life we have made鈥�.

 鈥淢any vocations are inspired by this joy rooted in prayer鈥� the importance of which must therefore 鈥渘ever be overlooked鈥�, the 杏MAP导航 trmarked.

Proclamation

Also, he continued, 鈥渢he importance of proclamation", which  was  highlighted by St. Justin himself when he spoke of the "duty of daily preaching and of the perpetual research and culture of vocations", especially recommending the teaching of the catechism, "must not be forgotten". This, 杏MAP导航 Framcis said, is especially true in 鈥渢oday's cultural context鈥� in which 鈥渢he sense of God's presence is disappearing and faith is weakening鈥�, and especially young people are unable to understand the meaning and direction of their lives.

Hence the 鈥渘eed to return to evangelization: proclaiming the Word, communicating the contents of our faith in a simple and passionate way, and accompanying people in their discernment鈥�.

[ There is a need for this in the Church: that the energies of our apostolate be directed above all to encounter and listening, to accompany in discernment. I recommend this to you: reach everyone with the joy of the Gospel, help people in their spiritual discernment, spend themselves in evangelization! ]

Mission

Finally, 杏MAP导航 Francis reminded those present to 鈥渃ultivate and renew鈥� the missionary spirit to 鈥渃ommunicate the joy of the Gospel鈥�, which is an essential part of their charism, by 鈥� dialoguing with young people, showing closeness to families, permeating all human activities with the Gospel especially in the field of education鈥�.  

In this regard, 杏MAP导航 Francis emphasized the crucial importance of 鈥渨elcoming, listening, and closeness鈥�, recalling, again, that St. Justin Russolillo used to recommend every Vocationist community to become 鈥漚 cloister for religious; a clergy house; a vocations cenacle; an office of the people; a dispensary of light and consolation and the heart of the parish and diocesan community鈥�.

Concluding 杏MAP导航 Francis encouraged the Vocationist Family to 鈥渁lways be an open space for welcoming people and caring for vocations; a place of prayer and discernment for those who seek and  a place of consolation for the wounded鈥�, and not to be discouraged in their mission by 鈥渉ardships and difficulties鈥�.