On several occasions, Father Tomaž Mavrič, CM, Superior General, has insisted, through his letters and talks, on the need to deal with the vocational issue in terms of challenge rather than crisis, calling first of all to move toward a renewed culture of vocations.
I would like to invite us to unite all our efforts at showing the children, youth, and adults of today, who are caught in this “Anti-Culture of Vocations,” the beauty, attractiveness, and life-giving meaning of responding with a resounding “Yes” to Jesus’s call! I call us to demonstrate to the children, youth, and adults that it is normal to respond affirmatively, with a loud “Yes,” to Jesus’s invitation and not abnormal. We must strive together for a renewed Culture of Vocations (Letter of 25 January 2018).
In addition to the signs that current times offer us – such as the decrease in the number of missionaries in many provinces, stability problems both in young confreres and in those with a good number of years of vocation, among other difficulties that are not entirely new – there is the recently inaugurated XV Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment, that make us feel that we are at a key moment to reflect on, develop, and invest efforts in the apostolate of vocations.
Against this background, the International Formation Center, in coordination with the Communications Office of the General Curia, has organized the First Course of Vocational Promoters of the Congregation of the Mission. It is ready to be held at the CIF facilities in Paris, 19 November to 1 December 2018.
The activity aims to provide those persons (in the provinces, vice-provinces, regions, and international missions) involved in vocation ministry with an opportunity for ongoing formation and reflection. This Meeting will attempt to do this through deepening our understanding of a culture of vocations (from the perspective of the Vincentian charism) and will provide the participants with tools for the development of a pastoral plan on the social networks.
Father Tomaž Mavrič, CM, will begin the course and several speakers both from the Congregation and from outside are expected. Among themisAmedeo Cencini, an outstanding vocational theologian, who is involved in priestly formation. In addition, the preparatory commission has developed a curriculum that covers the current reality of new youth cultures, as well as the biblical aspects and dimensions of the Vocational Culture. There also will be pedagogical tools for the accompaniment of young people and ideas for specific issues that are related to Vocation Ministry, such as ongoing formation and the challenge of late vocations. It is counting on at least one representative from each province, vice-province, region and international mission of the Congregation.
Information on registration: Andrés Motto, CM andresmotto@gmail.com
