Pope Francis’ recent speech during the XXXVII World Youth Day in Lisbon offered profound reflections that can enlighten the path of anyone, especially Vincentian missionaries, seminarians and lay people with a possible priestly vocation.
The Holy Father stressed the importance of service, comparing it to the act of Mary who rushed to serve her cousin Elizabeth. This service, done with love and joy, is at the heart of the Christian mission. As Vincentian missionaries, we are called to serve in the same spirit, putting at the centre the joy of the encounter with Christ and with others.
Among his most powerful phrases, one resonated powerfully: ‘Sharing joy and service, joy in service’. The essence of the Vincentian charism vibrates deeply in these few words. St Vincent de Paul, founder of the Congregation of the Mission and the Daughters of Charity, always emphasised the importance of service to the poor as a way to encounter Christ. For Vincentians, service is not just a duty, but a source of true joy. This joy comes from the knowledge that, in serving those most in need, one is responding to the invitation of Christ himself. Vincentian joy is not superficial or ephemeral, but deep and rooted in the certainty that, in serving with love, one is living the true mission of the Gospel. In this sense, sharing joy and service becomes a single act of love, where joy is both the driving force and the fruit of authentic service.
The Pope also spoke of the importance of the personal encounter with Jesus, emphasising how essential it is to renew this encounter every day. This message is particularly relevant for seminarians and lay people in vocational discernment. The encounter with Christ is not an isolated event, but a daily relationship that requires commitment and renewal.
Another highlight of the speech was the invitation to “ride the waves of love”. This image, inspired by the majestic waves of Nazaré, invites us to plunge into life’s challenges with courage and confidence, sustained by God’s grace. As ‘surfers of love’, we are called to navigate life’s difficulties with the certainty that God’s love will guide us.
In conclusion, the Pope’s message to WYD is a powerful call to love, service and encounter with Christ. For Vincentian missionaries, seminarians and lay people in vocational discernment, it is an invitation to rediscover the beauty of the Christian call and to respond with generosity and joy.
