What is a vocation?
Pope St John Paul II reminded us that ‘Love is the fundamental vocation of every human being.’ As they walk in this path, people hear God calling them into discipleship, a living relationship with the person of Christ, this call that has three dimensions:
- The universal call to holiness: God the Father calls people to listen to his Son, to be baptised in the Holy Spirit and to live as disciples of Christ.
- The call to a way of life: a Christian disciple expresses their faith, hope and love through living as a consecrated person, an ordained minister or a lay person, in the married or single state.
- The call to work: God calls people to many different kinds of work, ranging from paid work to care of family members. Work on its own does not give meaning to life however; it is human beings who make work meaningful.
Through the light of faith, women and men gradually become aware of the God’s plan for each person. The task of the Church is to help form the conscience of the individual to be able to discern the voice of the Spirit. God the Father invites human beings to let themselves become involved in the plan which God destines for not only their good but the good of one another. To enable all our parishioners to come to an understanding of life as a dialogue were, we’re asked to respond to God’s call, we must promote a renewed vocational culture, were every personal calling is properly understood within the vocational landscape of the entire Church.
One specific challenge for the diocese is how to reawaken in men and women of all ages, an understanding of making life decisions, as way of taking responsibility for responding to God’s call in their own lives? All vocational pastoral care should be structured to help a person to respond positively to the call they have received from God and commit to walking a path towards giving one’s life in the service of others and of God.
Culture of Vocations
Too this end, of paramount importance in creating a strategy for pastoral care of vocations, is the need to explicitly develop a culture of vocations. This means as a diocese; pastoral care of vocations should shape all our activities and be at the heart of the Diocese Pastoral Plan. As the Derry Diocese we have a responsibility to walk with and guide our parishioners in coming to an understanding our life a vocational journey. Teaching and witnessing that true happiness and fulfilment can only be received through entering the dialogue with God the Father who calls us to respond to his voice. At all levels in the diocese we need to promote an understanding of life as a vocation where we are called by God to enter upon a living journey where they are constantly accompanied by the presence of Jesus, the teacher, model and friend of every person.
Like Eli the Church is asked to accompany the person through the gift of her wisdom. To help each person to shed light on their identity as a child of God and how their vocation is a call to participate in Christ’s saving mission.We now live in a ‘throwaway culture.’ where scores of young people feel excluded if not discarded. As a diocese we need to rediscover our mission of providing hope, reawakening women and men to their God given dignity which is bound up with their calling or vocation in life.
Only by consistently witnessing to Gospel values can we overcome the credibility crisis by creating places of welcome and hospitality. The task of the Church and the diocese is to help form the conscience of the individual to be able to discern the voice of the Spirit.
Building a Culture of Vocations throughout Diocese
Through prayer and properly grounded initiatives the Diocese of Derry desires to create a culture of vocations among parishes, schools, groups, families and individuals that fosters and supports the consideration and discernment of vocations at all ages. Ultimately discipleship is the foundation of all vocations, and each person has been called to respond to God’s call through the living out of a life vocation which is specific to them, but also as a calling to serve the Church. (Pastoral Theme 2.0. Be disciples of Jesus Christ. Growing in faith together. When we allow God’s love into our hearts, we can be inspired to answer Jesus’ call to follow him…)
Prayer
Within the diocese a culture of vocations must be rooted in prayer. The vocations office will endeavour to publish prayer resources including prayer cards, prayer services and holy hours, as well as a Daily Examen card focusing on life as a vocation. It will be suggested that parishes would dedicate a specific hour of Eucharistic prayer each week to focus on celebrating our baptismal calling as a vocation rooted in God’s plan for all people. As well as highlighting a vocational understanding of life, intercession would be made to encourage people to respond to God’s call. At various times of the liturgical calendar reflections for parish newsletters and prayers of the faithful will be produced to be used at parish and other liturgical celebrations.
In this respect we will be launching the inaugural Diocesan Vocations Week beginning on the 24th March, The Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. In due course a booklet with reflections and prayers will be forwarded to parishes. On each day of the week we’re asked to focus on various themes including priesthood, single life, our seminarians, religious life, the Christian vocation in general, marriage and family life and finally praying for those who are discerning. On the Saturday of that week 2nd March we will host our Diocese Vocation Day or ‘Come and See Day’ which will begin in Thornhill Retreat Centre at 10.30am. Posters and social media posts will be made available in the coming week. I know in previous years priests have been free to call into the Vocation Day, however in the interests of trying to maintain a spirit of confidentially and an atmosphere of discernment, the day is only open to those priests who are directly involved in the programme of events.
Personal Relationships
Within a genuine culture of vocations, all people have a responsibility to encourage young people to follow their calling. For a vocation can only be properly discerned within a community. All priests should be given proper formation and training to be able to reflect upon their own vocational journey and experience of discipleship.
At a future diocesan conference, the National Vocations Office could provide training for all priests focusing on vocational reflection and promotion. This will serve as a platform from which all the priests of the diocese could be encouraged to speak freely about their vocation story in their parishes and schools.
In parishes, regardless of a person’s calling, the diocese needs to create opportunities for all people to recognise their vocation within the community. Highlighting vocations need to become a regular part of the Church’s conversation with serious consideration given to putting in place vocational guidance and creating vocation discernment groups.
Developing a ‘Culture of Vocation’ needs to be central to the life and curriculum of Catholic schools and should be at the heart of all forms of youth ministry, family ministry and catechesis.
Diocesan Structures
It will be the Diocesan Vocations Office responsibility to plan, co-ordinate and implement these initiatives. At diocesan, deanery and parish level, a comprehensive programme of events will be developed to assist in the celebration of a vocational vision of life based on Christian discipleship. Working within the Diocesan Pastoral Plan, the Vocations Office will collaborate with the Catechetical Centre and other diocesan ministries to implement vocational prayer, promotion and accompaniment programmes aimed at establishing and sustaining a vocational culture.
Role of the Bishop
Throughout his ministry and preaching the bishop invites everyone to answer their own call, he keeps alive the spirit of prayer and urges co-responsibility with people and groups within the diocese. At a personal level the bishop will be asked to directly proposes a personal call to those he feels have a genuine vocation to the priesthood.
Director of Vocations
In the diocese of Derry, the vocations director has the responsibility of creating a team and an office which will serve to develop an understanding of vocations and their promotion. As well as co-operating in the task of vocations promotions part of vocations ministry is providing people with opportunities for discernment, supporting parishes and groups in prayer and reflection.For those who are discerning a call to priesthood the diocese hopes to provide a prompt and supportive response to inquiries and requests.Information and guidance will be provided through individual meetings, vocational reflection groups, individual spiritual direction and mentoring, suitable holy hours, informal gatherings, and outdoor excursions or activities. Above all the vocations director is responsible for helping to encourage and sustain a vocations culture through creating prayer opportunities, promotion and accompaniment programmes.
Vocation Council
Vocations Council will be re-established to advise and guide the activities of the Office of Vocations in the Derry Diocese. The Derry Diocesan Vocations Council will made up of married people, single people, religious and priests. The function of the Council is to increase awareness in the Church of each one’s calling and to help foster and promote a culture of vocations in the Diocese. The Council are to advise the Vocation Director in current efforts, to brainstorm new ideas and initiatives, to assist in planning and carrying out various vocations related events and activities. The Council will meet at least four times a year in order to help shape and promote a genuine programme for pastoral care of all vocations.
Vocational Mentors/Accompaniers
Within the diocese we have recently appointed a vocations mentors who will accompany those who are trying to discern their vocation. The challenge is to look for the signs of a vocation, cultivate them and to put them to the test. The external listening provided by the person accompanying, helps the traveller to clarify their vocational calling.
Vocations Office
Over the next month a vocations office will be established in the diocese to organise the necessary formation of people responsible for vocations ministry including Vocations Promoters, Mentors, Members of Vocations Councils,
Working together with promotors, mentors and councils:
Discernment
In the Diocese of Derry, through the building up of a culture of vocations, we need to develop and promote ways to equip people to listen and enter into dialogue with God. Only prayer can provide the right horizon in which we can make true choices.
Recognizing, Interpreting, Choosing
There are three verbs in Evangelii Gaudium, used to describe discernment, namely, “to recognize,” “to interpret” and “to choose”. Recognizing means “giving a name” to the great quantity of emotions, wishes and feelings that dwell in all of us. Secondly, interpreting is the stage when a person tries to understand what the depths of their hearts and what the Spirit is calling the them to do. Christian wisdom offers valuable instruments to assist a person in coming to a better understanding of where their hearts are being drawn.
The next step is deciding, which should be an exercise in authentic human freedom and personal responsibility.
In this, the Church helps to form the conscience of believers through the gift of her wisdom and experience. Guided by a vocational mentor, an individual is helped to see what gifts they have to offer and what contributions they can bring to their specific life calling.
Accompaniment
Today many people complain they feel alone and isolated, the diocese’s pastoral care for vocations strategy needs to focus on building communion. (Pastoral Theme 1.0. Building welcoming and inclusive communities: Build parishes that are places of welcome and hospitality to all. Reaching out in particular to the vulnerable. Those in need and those who feel excluded.) Discerning one’s vocation can be an adventure along the journey of life and the church can offer guidance and support to accompany the person’s concrete steps towards making a life decision.
Accompanying
As a diocese we need to reach out into the world of our parishioners and through a dialogue grounded on listening we need to reawaken a desire to question the meaning of life. Above all we need encourage people to face the fundamental questions regarding their identity and calling. Once on this path, a journey begins were we need to provide be strong spiritual mothers and fathers to guide and accompany people.
Agents
We need to equip not only priests but parishioners to become vocational mentors or spiritual guides making available the necessary training and support to pass on the necessary skills.
The indispensable role families play in vocational discernment must be supported and encouraged, especially empowering parents to become inspiring role models of faith through their dedicated support of their children. For parents are always the first witnesses to a living faith and the home is the most vital cell of the Church.
The bishop, priests and religious as Shepherds of Souls will need be enabled and motivated to take time by going out, listening to young people and with patience help them understand the movements of their heart and guide their steps.
Teachers and other Persons in Education: have a great opportunity to bear witness to the human and Christian vocation which is accepted and lived with faithfulness and dedication, arousing in those who see them a desire to do likewise.
Deanery and Parish Resources
Parishes, Parish pastoral Councils and Youth Ministry
Under the guidance of the parish pastoral council one or two persons could be appointed to oversee and co-ordinate parish initiatives which contribute to highlighting a celebration of vocations. This would require parishes receiving the necessary resources, support and training from the diocesan vocation office. All areas of parish life from youth ministry to sacramental preparation could include a vocational element in the course of their catechesis.
Sacraments of Initiation
The celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation are vital experiences which can raise awareness of life as a calling. Working together with the Catechetical Centre resources could be produced to enable children and parents to reflect on their lives as a journey.
Marriage and Family
Parents accompany their children through their witness and prayer. The ministry of parents is, rooted in the Sacrament of Marriage, as educators in the faith. In the context of a culture of vocations, families could be assisted in coming to a better appreciation of gift of grace we receive in the sacraments which support us in responding to God’s call.
Saint Joseph’s Young Priest Society and other Associations in the Diocese
The diocesan vocations office would like to involve the society in helping to establish and sustain a co-ordinated prayer campaign in parishes which centre on vocational awareness.
‘Come and See’ weekend’s in Parishes and Maynooth
Again, ‘Come and See’ weekends in parishes for discerners could be organised on a small group or individual basis. It would be hoped that several parishes in conjunction with the vocations office where willing to facilitate an opportunity for an individual or small group of discerners to be introduced into life of parish ministry. As a follow up to these ‘Come and See’ weekends in parishes, an annual visit the National Seminary in Maynooth would give discerners a chance to experience life in seminary and benefit from engaging with seminarians.
Diocesan Vocation Weekend
As part of the programme of discernment and accompaniment the annual Diocesan Vocations Weekend is an opportunity for discerners to meet and engage with fellow discerners, seminarians, priests, religious and the bishop. The weekend will consist of prayer, reflection, a series of talks and opportunities to socialise, to question and discuss. Above all the weekend will aim to provide not only information regarding vocations but provide a safe area to share from our experiences and our understanding of a vocation as a call from God.
Youth Groups and Derry Youth Community
The Derry Youth Community and the various youth groups throughout the diocese should be involved in a series of events and initiatives to engage young people in questioning their calling.
John Paul II Award
In conjunction with parishes and schools, part of the award could focus on trying to understand the young person’s future choices in light of their calling. Especially highlighting how a young person gifts and talents might indicate a specific direction for their future calling.
Summer Camps
The Vocations Office to establish links with the various summer Camps and discuss ways of becoming involved in their celebration of vocations as part of their programme of events.
Vocation Groups
In responding to the need to provide time and space for discernment and having the experience of being accompanied, vocational discernment groups offer an opportunity to discuss a vocation in the light of our Christian calling. The groups will also provide an experience prayer concentrating on our vocation as call from God. Those who lead the groups must be ready to relate to our own call.
Schools
The catechetical centre and vocations office will endeavour to develop and distribute age appropriate vocations-related resources, to schools throughout the year. Like many other mentors, teachers in schools can encourage young people to make courageous and generous choices which enable them to follow along their vocation path in life.
Universities and Third level Institutions
The Vocation Office will work closely with campus chaplains in organising vocations-related events and gatherings. These could be based on the Compass programme which exists in many English Universities.
Publications
Daily Examen
Diocesan Vocation Prayer
Diocesan pamphlets containing information about:
- The vocation, ministry, and identity of the diocesan priest.
- Diocesan discernment groups and opportunities for spiritual direction.
- Retreats, events, and other annual vocations office programmes.
Use of Online Materials for Vocation Promotion
The Vocations office will reach out to people throughout the diocese using the following tools:
- Diocesan web site with a link to a specific page on Vocations which will be:
- Regularly updated with current schedule of events.
- Information for those in discernment.
- Linked into Parish Bulletins
- Promotion of upcoming vocations office events and activities.
- Articles on the priesthood, discernment, and other vocations-related topics.
- Short YouTube Videos sharing people’s vocational journey
- The diocesan application process.
- Books and online materials on prayer, discernment, the priesthood, and Church teaching.
Creation of a vocations office Facebook and Twitter page that communicates information about upcoming events and links to helpful websites and blogs.
Adapted from Synod of Bishops, XV. Ordinary general Assembly, Young People, The Faith and Vocational Discernment. Final Document, 27th October 2018, Vatican City.
