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Monday, May 16, 2011

PROMOTING AND NURTURING VOCATIONS AND CONSECRATED LIFE

VATICAN CITY, 16 MAY 2011 (VIS) - Benedict XVI appeared at the window of his study in the Apostolic Palace to recite the Regina Coeli with the faithful in St. Peter's Square.

  Commenting on the Gospel of this Fourth Sunday of Easter, which "presents us with one of the most beautiful icons that, since the first centuries of the Church, represents Jesus Christ: that of the Good Shepherd", the Holy Father said that "the attitude of the flock toward the Good Shepherd, Christ, is presented by the evangelist with two specific verbs: to listen and to follow. These terms designate the fundamental characteristics of those who live as followers of the Lord. Above all, in listening to His Word, from which the faith is born and nurtured. Only those who are attentive to the voice of the Lord are able to evaluate by their own conscience the correct decision to act according to God. From listening derives, therefore, the decision to follow Christ: we act as disciples after listening to and internalising the teachings of the Master in order to live by them from day to day".

  "This Sunday", he continued, "it is natural to remember the Shepherds of the Church of God, and those who are being formed to become Shepherds. I therefore invite you to say a special prayer for bishops - including the Bishop of Rome! - for parish priests, for all those who have a responsibility in leading the flock of Christ, that they might be faithful and wise in carrying out their office. In particular, let us pray for vocations to the priesthood on this World Day of Prayer for Vocations, that authentic workers for the Lord's harvest never be lacking".

  The Holy Father went on to recall that "seventy years ago Venerable Pius XII instituted the Pontifical Work for Priestly Vocations. The happy intuition of my predecessor was founded on the conviction that vocations grow and mature in the particular Churches, facilitated by healthy family contexts and strengthened by the spirit of faith, charity and piety. In my message for this day I emphasised that a vocation is followed when we leave behind 'our will that is closed in itself and our idea of self-actualisation, to immerse ourselves in another will, God's, letting ourselves be guided by it.'"

  He concluded, "also, in this time when the Lord's voice risks being submerged by so many other voices, every ecclesial community is called to promote and safeguard vocations to the priesthood and the consecrated life. Men, in fact, always need God, even in our technological world, and there will always be a need for Shepherds who announce the Word and help us to meet the Lord in the Sacraments".
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