The month of April is, for the Church, a special time set apart to reflect deeply and pray earnestly for vocations. Filled with the joy of the Easter, this month is seen as a season of spiritual renewal and of discerning the will of God. The hope and new life offered by the Resurrection of Christ become a profound inspiration for those who desire to embrace a vocation. Every called life is an invitation to die with Christ and to share in His glory. The strength given by the Risen Lord to proclaim the joy of the Gospel to the world becomes the focus of our meditation during this time. Every believer has the responsibility to discern whether there is a call from God in their children and relatives and to encourage them to respond to it courageously. As Pope Saint John Paul II reminds young people: “Do not be afraid to think about your vocation. Open the doors of your life to Christ. Make room in your hearts for His love. In following Christ, you lose nothing; rather, you gain everything.”
A vocation is not merely a personal choice; rather, it is a loving invitation formed in the heart of God from all eternity. The prophetic word, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born, I consecrated you” (Jeremiah 1:5), reveals the deep biblical foundation of every vocation. Each vocation is a great gift from God. All of us are called to become sacred instruments in the hands of God to recognize and foster this call. Vocations are the most vital link in the life and missionary mandate of the Church.
If evangelization is the fundamental mission of the Church, then the need of the time is to find willing laborers ready to carry the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Forming young hearts that experience the love of Christ and desire to share it with others is a common responsibility of the Church. When it is said that priests and consecrated persons who enter families are the best vocation promoters, it also means that Christian families are the first nursery of vocations. Parents must create a spiritual environment in which their children can hear the voice of God. As Pope Francis teaches, “A vocation is not like winning a lottery or an unexpected stroke of luck; rather, it is a great adventure with Christ.” The whole Church must awaken to invite the younger generation into this adventure. Families, which are a small image of the Church, must nurture an atmosphere conducive to recognizing God’s voice. The fervent prayer and authentic faith life of parents first awaken in children the desire to seek God’s will. A child learns to listen to the gentle voice of God over the noise of the world through the prayerful atmosphere at home. When parents instill in their children the awareness that priestly and consecrated life is a great blessing, the family becomes a true nursery of vocations. From such families, sanctified by prayer, arise strong vocations capable of carrying forward the mission of the Church.
As Pope Benedict XVI pointed out, “God calls us not primarily to do great things, but to be with Him.” It is this “being with Him” that we must encourage. Priestly and consecrated life is not the pursuit of a career, but a profound love for Christ. Our parishes and homes must become places that enable young hearts to hear the gentle voice of God amid the noise of the world. New vocations are essential for the Church’s mission of proclaiming the Gospel. They bring renewal and vibrant growth to the Church. By nurturing vocations, we are safeguarding the very future of the Church. Let us come together in prayer, accepting this great responsibility, so that our children may be empowered to say “yes” to God’s call. Inspired by the love of Christ, let us participate in this missionary journey of the Church.
Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil
