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1 Intro,1 | the gift of innumerable vocations to the priesthood, the diaconate
2 Intro,2 | The European Congress on Vocations~2. Gathered together in
3 Intro,2 | 1997, for the Congress on Vocations to the Priesthood and to
4 Intro,2 | passion in the field of vocations, notwithstanding the dearth
5 Intro,3 | by a renewed flowering of vocations, as was witnessed to at
6 Intro,3 | s mission, particularly vocations ministry... Therefore we
7 Intro,3(2)| Work for Ecclesiastical Vocations, Pastoral Care of Vocations
8 Intro,3(2)| Vocations, Pastoral Care of Vocations in the Particular Churches
9 Intro,3(2)| Document of the Congress on Vocations to the Priesthood and Consecrated
10 Intro,5 | vocation to promote the vocations of your children and a real
11 Intro,6 | the effort seems useless. "Vocations promotion, with respect
12 Intro,6 | vocation which generates other vocations and makes them completely "
13 Intro,6 | have an explicit role in vocations promotion, but also those
14 Intro,6 | witness will lead to effective vocations promotion, and that the
15 Intro,6 | and that the so-called vocations crisis is above all related
16 Intro,6 | totally vocational, all are vocations promoters. Blessed are you,
17 Intro,8 | help to those working in vocations promotion.~We do not intend
18 Intro,8 | moment of death. Either vocations ministry is mystagogic,
19 Intro,8(4)| Developments of Pastoral Care for Vocations in the Local Churches, Experiences
20 Intro,8(4)| Responsibilities for Ecclesiastical Vocations (by the Congregations for
21 Intro,8(4)| Work for Ecclesiastical Vocations, Developments of the Pastoral
22 Intro,8(4)| the Pastoral Ministry of Vocations in the Particular Churches (
23 Intro,8(4)| Continental Congress on Vocations, Itaicì 1994 (published
24 Intro,9 | reality. The pastoral care of vocations must be measured against
25 I | PART ONE~THE VOCATIONS SITUATION IN EUROPE TODAY~"
26 I | favourable to different vocations and ready to promote a real
27 I | real increase in quality in vocations ministry.~
28 I,10 | New vocations for a new Europe"~10. The
29 I,10 | theme of the Congress ("New vocations for a new Europe") goes
30 I,10 | with respect to the past, vocations which are also "new" are
31 I,10 | traditional" methods of promoting vocations to the priesthood and consecrated
32 I,10 | might lead and the need for vocations which will flow from that.~
33 I,11 | regarding the problem of vocations, which is strongly marked
34 I,11 | confirmed by the progress of vocations to the priesthood and consecrated
35 I,11 | programme at the service of vocations promotion, from first contact
36 I,11 | contact to formation of vocations, then in the West a different
37 I,11 | base of it, and the type of vocations which derive from it. At
38 I,11 | practises not «produce» vocations, while others do?"(6)~Another
39 I,11 | negative impact at the level of vocations. Like ancient Rome, modern
40 I,11(6) | the European Congress on Vocations to the Priesthood and Consecrated
41 I,13 | New vocations~13. And so a new discussion
42 I,13 | introduced on vocation and vocations, on culture and vocations
43 I,13 | vocations, on culture and vocations promotion. The Congress
44 I,13 | Churches".(14)~a) Vocation and vocations~Just as holiness is for
45 I,13 | and in the world various vocations which, while on a theological
46 I,13(17) | World Day of Prayer for Vocations, celebrated on 2V1993 (cf "
47 I,13(17) | Work for Ecclesiastical Vocations, Messaggi Pontifici per
48 I,13(18) | Participants in the Congress on Vocations in Europe, in "L'Osservatore
49 I,13 | an authentic culture of vocations; and if the demand and desire
50 I,13 | allow new holiness and new vocations for Europe of the year two
51 I,13 | the shortage of specific vocations — vocations in the plural —
52 I,13 | of specific vocations — vocations in the plural — is above
53 I,13 | objective of pastoral work for vocations(20) or, perhaps, of pastoral
54 I,13 | life?~c) Pastoral care of vocations: the "leap in quality"~There
55 I,13 | awareness that pastoral work for vocations is faced with the need for
56 I,13 | indicate, in substance, that vocations promotion in Europe has
57 I,13 | adult" and mature state of vocations promotion.~Therefore this
58 I,13 | also to the rich history of vocations in Europe at today's decisive
59 I,13 | decisive crossroad.~— If vocations promotion arose as an emergency
60 I,13 | of crisis or shortage of vocations, today it can no longer
61 I,13 | within her;~— if at one time vocations promotion referred only
62 I,13 | only or mainly to certain vocations, now it must tend ever more
63 I,13 | towards the promotion of all vocations, because in the Lord's Church,
64 I,13 | if at its beginnings vocations promotion sought to limit
65 I,13 | cf Mt 3, 9);~— if before vocations work rose up, in great part,
66 I,13 | future of God;~— if a certain vocations promotion is, or was, continually
67 I,13 | antivocational culture, today true vocations promotion can be carried
68 I,13 | by seeking to resolve the vocations crisis by debatable methods,
69 I,13 | for example by "importing vocations" from other places (often
70 I,13 | himself about resolving the vocations crisis by going around it,
71 I,13 | so, in the same way, the "vocations scapegoat", a willing and
72 I,13 | in consequence, the same vocations promoter must become more
73 I,13 | in faith and formator of vocations, and vocations promotion
74 I,13 | formator of vocations, and vocations promotion should become
75 I,13 | or believer, and for all vocations in every phase of life;~—
76 I,13 | of young people for the vocations crisis, to the courage to
77 I,13 | dignity of pastoral work for vocations and its natural position
78 I,13 | marginalising pastoral work for vocations in some way, considering
79 I,13 | and contingent situation.~Vocations promotion continues perhaps
80 I,13(26) | Responsibilities for Ecclesiastical Vocations, cf Developments, 3. From
81 II,18 | adjust our directions in our vocations programmes? But the response
82 II,18 | is at the base of every vocations programme. It requires us
83 II,18 | paths that are particular vocations. Therefore the great appointment
84 II,18 | holiness of those called.~d) Vocations at the service of the vocation
85 II,18 | It is in the Spirit that vocations in the Church are so many
86 II,18 | possible the plurality of vocations in the unity of the ecclesial
87 II,18 | the ecclesial structure: vocations in the Church are necessary
88 II,18 | possible and practicable vocations of and in the Church. All
89 II,18 | Church. All of the different vocations, therefore, are directed
90 II,19 | community and communion of vocations~In the Church, the community
91 II,19 | project; there are no generic vocations.~In its particular nature
92 II,19 | flowering of particular vocations, but also for the creation
93 II,19 | d) The Church, mother of vocations~The Church is the mother
94 II,19 | Church is the mother of vocations because she gives birth
95 II,20 | needs new saints and new vocations, believers capable of "building
96 II,20 | of the pastoral care of vocations at the end of the millennium.
97 II,20 | again. "Pastoral care of vocations in Europe, today, must have
98 II,20 | ecumenical dimension. All vocations, present in every Church
99 II,21 | can only be of benefit to vocations ministry in all the Churches.~
100 II,21 | importance in the formation of vocations for the Oriental Churches
101 II,21 | is impossible to promote vocations to the priesthood and to
102 II,22 | The ordained minister and vocations in the reciprocity of communion~
103 II,22 | many particular Churches, vocations ministry still needs to
104 II,22 | between ordained ministry, vocations of special consecration
105 II,22 | consecration and all other vocations. A unitary vocations ministry
106 II,22 | other vocations. A unitary vocations ministry is based upon the
107 II,22 | Church's commitment to all vocations and particularly for vocations
108 II,22 | vocations and particularly for vocations of special consecration".(47)~
109 II,22(50) | specific pastoral care of vocations a place should be given
110 II,22(50) | not to include them as new vocations of the new Europe" (Propositions,
111 II,22 | ordained ministry for all vocations and all vocations for the
112 II,22 | for all vocations and all vocations for the ordained ministry
113 II,22 | experience.~b) Attention to all vocations~The discernment and care
114 II,22 | communities is extended to all vocations, whether to those already
115 II,22 | religious institutes, missionary vocations, new forms of consecrated
116 II,22 | expression of the different vocations is rich and varied.~In a
117 II,22 | wise to encourage those vocations that are a particular sign
118 II,22 | 1 Jn 3, 2), such as the vocations of special consecration;
119 III | THREE~THE PASTORAL CARE OF VOCATIONS~"...Each one heard them
120 III | for the pastoral care of vocations do not come only from a
121 III | that the pastoral care of vocations be perceived as one of the
122 III,23(54)| Congress on the topic: "New vocations for a new Europe" in "L'
123 III,24 | to the pastoral care of vocations. We shall examine only some
124 III,24 | weak. The pastoral care of vocations is the same age as the Church;
125 III,25 | of the pastoral care of vocations~25. But what theology underpins,
126 III,25 | inspires and motivates vocations ministry as such?~The response
127 III,25 | of vocation, theology of vocations ministry and pedagogical-pastoral
128 III,25 | praxis.~"The pastoral care of vocations springs from the mystery
129 III,25 | of the pastoral care of vocations, therefore, "can only arise
130 III,25 | regard, that "concern for vocations is a connatural and essential
131 III,25(56)| connect pastoral work for vocations with the Church are well
132 III,25 | Congress note that "a unitary vocations ministry is based upon the
133 III,25 | nature, pastoral work for vocations is an activity ordained
134 III,25 | theology of pastoral work for vocations is rooted exactly in the
135 III,25 | understood how pastoral work for vocations is not an accessory or secondary
136 III,25 | time generates and educates vocations.(63) "Consequently, the
137 III,25 | pastoral work of promoting vocations has as its active agents,
138 III,25 | responsibility of caring for vocations. It is a duty that enters
139 III,25 | conviction can pastoral work for vocations manifest its truly ecclesial
140 III,25 | ministries, i.e. the different vocations, all manifestations of the
141 III,25 | of the whole programme of vocations promotion is the prayer
142 III,26 | principles of pastoral work for vocations~26. It has been highlighted
143 III,26 | affirmations.~a) Pastoral work for vocations is the original perspective
144 III,26 | Latin American Congress on vocations in 1994.~However, the perspective
145 III,26 | b) Pastoral work for vocations is the vocation of pastoral
146 III,26 | affirm that pastoral work for vocations is the vocation of pastoral
147 III,26 | Acts.~c) Pastoral work for vocations is gradual and convergent~
148 III,26 | or society.~They promote vocations, those who acknowledge,
149 III,26 | correct pastoral work for vocations, it is necessary to respect
150 III,26 | life.~d) Pastoral work for vocations is generic and specific~
151 III,26 | specific~Pastoral work for vocations, in short, necessarily begins
152 III,26 | sense pastoral work for vocations is first generic and then
153 III,26 | order, pastoral work for vocations does not limit itself to
154 III,26 | the grace received".~The vocations promoter, every teacher
155 III,26 | if every educator is a vocations promoter, every vocations
156 III,26 | vocations promoter, every vocations promoter is an educator,
157 III,26 | the specific promotion of vocations to the priesthood and the
158 III,26 | outcome.~e) Pastoral work for vocations is universal and permanent~
159 III,26 | Firstly, pastoral work for vocations knows no boundaries. As
160 III,26 | corrected that pastoral work for vocations is exclusively for young
161 III,26 | sense, pastoral work for vocations is related to the ongoing
162 III,26 | f) Pastoral work for vocations is personal and communitarian~
163 III,26 | nature of pastoral work for vocations which — when it is authentic —
164 III,26 | and community. From the vocations promoter's point of view,
165 III,26 | to move from a pastoral vocations programme run by one person
166 III,26 | In this meeting specific vocations are revealed".(74)~In the
167 III,26 | subject of pastoral work for vocations is the whole Church. If
168 III,26 | sense pastoral work for vocations is communitarian. And, always
169 III,26 | 39).~g) Pastoral work for vocations and the unitary-synthetic
170 III,26 | it is, pastoral work for vocations is the unifying category
171 III,26 | Consequently pastoral work for vocations is, and must be, related
172 III,26 | Above all pastoral work for vocations is the unifying perspective
173 III,26 | because pastoral work for vocations is not directed only at
174 III,26 | parents to be the first vocations promoters-educators; or
175 III,26 | how valuable would be a vocations programme among the sick,
176 III,26 | sufferings for priestly vocations, but helps them to live
177 III,26 | it is connatural with it: vocations, like charisms, search each
178 III,26 | in general must flow into vocations promotion in order to encourage
179 III,26 | option; but pastoral work for vocations, in its turn, must remain
180 III,26 | paid to pastoral work for vocations, but in exchange, it will
181 III,27 | initiatives of prayer for vocations and these were widely reported
182 III,27 | heart of pastoral work for vocations: prayer. Prayer that knows
183 III,27 | of using lectio divina in vocations promotion, stirred up much
184 III,27 | and developing specific vocations.~Another positive experience
185 III,27 | Another positive experience of vocations promotion in the particular
186 III,27 | rule of pastoral work for vocations".(81) In these communities
187 III,27 | In these communities or vocations centres, thanks to a very
188 III,27 | the outstanding way, in a vocations programme, for discerning
189 III,27 | how it has been for many vocations during these last decades.
190 III,27 | decades. Post-conciliar vocations promotion has progressively
191 III,27 | experiences of successful vocations, can be decisive for helping
192 III,28 | route of pastoral work for vocations, thanks to which the mystery
193 III,28 | Therefore pastoral work for vocations must expressly help people
194 III,28 | responsibility in the Church".(85) Vocations which are not born from
195 III,28 | Concretely, "pastoral work for vocations possesses the fundamental
196 III,28 | nature of pastoral work for vocations.~
197 III,29 | bring pastoral work for vocations into the life of Christian
198 III,29 | bringing pastoral work for vocations out of its circle of experts
199 III,29 | direct cultivator" of all vocations.~In truth the full vocational
200 III,29 | relationship with the national vocations centres...which are the
201 III,29 | established groups responsible for vocations promotion and various activities
202 III,29 | Church"(88) (prayer groups, vocations days and weeks, catechesis
203 III,29 | maintaining an interest in vocations).(89)~b) Special places
204 III,29 | sensitive and urgent move from vocations work based on experiences
205 III,29 | serious pastoral work for vocations in order to begin each year
206 III,29 | the people to pray for all vocations.~c) Pedagogical places of
207 III,29 | nature, pedagogical places of vocations promotion are also valuable;
208 III,29 | particularly in the area of vocations.~Perhaps this too is part
209 III,29 | characterising pastoral work for vocations. While in the past female
210 III,29 | While in the past female vocations also arose from spiritual
211 III,29 | communities, today "female" vocations also need references to
212 III,29 | involved in pastoral work for vocations~In order to offer itself
213 III,29 | work, pastoral work for vocations must first of all express
214 III,29 | organisations, diocesan and national vocations centres have already been
215 III,29 | stimuli for pastoral work for vocations, diocesan centres do not
216 III,29 | collaborate truly in favour of the vocations of all. There is a certain
217 III,29 | permeate pastoral work for vocations in the Church and, particularly,
218 III,29 | of Europe. The crisis of vocations is also a crisis of communion
219 III,29 | communion in working to increase vocations. Vocations will not arise
220 III,29 | working to increase vocations. Vocations will not arise where an
221 III,29 | civil, and the formation of vocations educators-formators, the
222 III,29 | present day pastoral work for vocations.(93)~In addition, the Congress
223 III,29 | centre for pastoral work for vocations, as a concrete sign and
224 III,29(94)| this European centre for vocations, it expresses the desire
225 IV | PART FOUR~PEDAGOGY OF VOCATIONS~"Did not our hearts burn
226 IV | Jesus, and in view of a vocations promotion marked by precise
227 IV | direction of pastoral work for vocations.~It remains now to look
228 IV | aspect of pastoral work for vocations.~
229 IV,30 | all, families)".(95) The vocations crisis is certainly also
230 IV,32 | the pedagogy that every vocations promoter or evangeliser
231 IV,32 | involved in pastoral work for vocations and are therefore themselves
232 IV,32 | themselves called to be not only vocations promoters, but, even before
233 IV,32 | central characteristics of vocations ministry or the five dimensions
234 IV,33 | condition; no pastoral work for vocations can be done if there is
235 IV,33 | and sow the good seed of vocations, of not remaining within
236 IV,33(97) | World Day of Prayer for Vocations (16IV1978), in "L'Osservatore
237 IV,33 | seasons. In the field of vocations something similar happens.
238 IV,34 | future.~Pastoral work for vocations cannot follow a policy of
239 IV,34 | a wise and experiential vocations promotion. A little like
240 IV,34 | was about the tenth hour".~Vocations promotion is done only through
241 IV,35 | their vocation. How many vocations have been cut short because
242 IV,35 | beginning that pastoral work for vocations must be mystagogic and,
243 IV,35 | the greatest causes of the vocations crisis.~At the same time
244 IV,35 | existence. An authentic vocations programme always and everywhere
245 IV,36 | every pastoral work for vocations that would be Christian.~
246 IV,36 | every life.~On the level of vocations, the consequences are clear.
247 IV,36 | whole of pastoral work for vocations is constructed on this elementary
248 IV,36 | extraordinary.~Pastoral work for vocations is aimed at preparing this
249 IV,37 | fostering and discerning vocations to the priesthood and training
250 IV,37 | presupposition for discerning these vocations is, first and foremost,
251 IV,37 | the Church, mother of all vocations, in a specific "sequela
252 IV,37 | attention should be paid to vocations that are born of sufferings,
253 IV,37(111)| from the pastoral work for vocations to formation proper, the
254 Conclu,38 | thousand. The Congress on vocations, too, is part of this journey
255 Conclu,38 | invitation to conversion. The vocations crisis that we have seen
256 Conclu,38 | We shall come through the vocations crisis only if this process
257 Conclu,38 | hope than pastoral work for vocations, especially where the crisis
258 Conclu,38 | in a renewed flowering of vocations for the Churches of Europe.~
259 Conclu,39 | grant us the gift of new vocations that can bear witness to
260 Conclu,39 | love, we entrust all the vocations of this Church, that they
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