The Catholic
Churches of the East
21. The Catholic Churches of the West must
pay greater attention to the spiritual and formation programmes of the Oriental
Catholic Churches; this can only be of benefit to vocations ministry in all the
Churches.
Of singular importance in the formation of
vocations for the Oriental Churches is the Sacred Liturgy. It is there that the
proclamation and adoration of the Mystery of salvation is made and where
communion is born and fraternity among believers is built up, to the point where
it becomes the true formator of the Christian life, the most complete synthesis
of its various aspects. In the Liturgy the joyful confession of belonging to
the tradition of the Oriental Churches is joined to full communion with the
Church of Rome.
It is impossible to promote vocations to the
priesthood and to the monastic life if there is no return to the sources of
one's own original tradition, in harmony with the Holy Fathers and their
profound sense of the Church. This far-reaching process requires time,
patience, respect for the sensibilities of the faithful, but also
determination.
Therefore the Bishops, religious Superiors
and pastoral workers of the European Oriental Churches are requested to be
aware of the urgency of the situation for all of their Churches, recuperating
and maintaining their respective liturgical patrimonies, which contribute in an
irreplaceable way to the birth and development of theology and catechesis.
This, following the example of the mystagogical method of the Fathers, opens
people to the experience of the call and the spiritual life, and brings to
maturity a sure and strong ecumenical spirit.(46)
Within the various ecclesial experiences,
and by means of studies that present the historical, theological, juridical and
spiritual patrimony of the Churches to which they belong, Oriental young people
can find educational environments appropriate for helping them bring to
maturity the universal sense of their dedication to Christ and the Church.
It is the Bishops' responsibility to
promote, to approach sympathetically and accompany with fatherly care those
young people who, individually or in groups, ask to dedicate themselves to the
monastic life, highly valuing the charism of the monastic communities, which
are rich with formators and spiritual guides.
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