“God’s call makes our greatest dreams come true” – Pope Francis
The first Vocation
Sunday
Pope Paul VI in 1964, established the first World day of
Prayer for vocations on Good Shepherd Sunday, which is now celebrated on the
Fourth Sunday of Easter and known as ‘Vocation Sunday.’
The 58th World day of Prayer for Vocations falls
on April 25, 2021
Being dedicated this
year to our dear Patron Saint Joseph, Pope Francis in his message enumerates
the life and the vocation of St. Joseph.
Pope Francis connects the
message to his Apostolic Letter Patris Corde, which was released on 8 December
2020. Through this letter Pope urges every faithful to increase their love
towards this great Saint.
Highlights
of Pope’s message
St. Joseph being an
extraordinary figure, yet he is so close to our own human experiences. He did
not have unique charisms nor he was highlighted in the Bible. Lived an ordinary
life accomplishing extraordinary things in the eyes of God.
The Three
Keywords from the life of St. Joseph that are very much connected to each
individual’s vocation.
1-
Dream: St. Mathew
in his Gospel recounts four dreams of St. Joseph. In each dream Joseph gets a
difficult call from God to change his plans and to take a risk in order to
follow the divine plans. Why did Joseph hastened to fulfil the dreams? Pope Francis says “Because his heart was
directed to God, it was already inclined towards Him. A small indication was
enough for his watchful ‘inner ear’ to recognize God’s Voice.”
2-
Service: Pope
Francis considers St. Joseph’s vocation to service. Joseph lived entirely for
Jesus and Mary and never for himself. He serves them, protects them and cares
for them. Pope Francis calls this great saint as ‘Protector of Vocations’.
3-
Fidelity: Pope
Francis says, “Success in life is built on constant fidelity to important
decisions.’ As consecrated persons, what matters is one’s fidelity in the light
of God’s faithfulness.
Pope Francis concludes
the message by urging the consecrated to fill their homes / communities with
simple and radiant, sober and hopeful joy that was present in the home of
Nazareth.
Click on the following
link to read the full message.
Laveena CSJ
Tanmaya Province / India
