Asia/China – World Day of Prayer for Spiritual Vocations: “Mission means following Christ”
BEIJING (Agenzia Fides) – A cloth bag with the words “Our Father” printed on it invites people to always carry God’s Word with them and to “be nourished by God’s Word every day.” This is a unique gift distributed to all seminarians at Beijing Seminary ahead of the 61st World Day of Prayer for Vocations, which falls on April 21, the fourth Sunday of Easter this year.
“God’s word gives us the strength to face life’s emergencies and to follow God’s call in every situation.When we have God’s word in our hands and have a mission in our hearts, we can follow it. The booklet in my bag says that I can respond.” Follow the will of the Lord in all situations. ” The message to all young men who feel called to the priesthood is to recognize “with wisdom and courage” what moves them to embrace the calling to “become seminarians who follow Christ.” That’s it.
At the heart of the reflections shared at Beijing Seminary this Easter season are the insights and suggestions contained in Pope Francis’ message for the 61st World Day of Prayer for Spiritual Vocations in 2024.
In a message released on the Day of Prayer, Bishop Joseph Li Xiang of Beijing called on everyone to participate in diocesan programs that promote vocations. Bishop Li Xiang also called on Catholic families to embrace the possibility of their children pursuing the priesthood and to accompany them on their vocational journey. “The family is the hearth in which faith flourishes and the cradle of vocations,” the bishop recalled in a recent homily. He added that parents should accompany their sons and daughters on the path to holiness, and that they themselves should act as “good signs” on this path. In this way, young people will be able to “discern with wisdom what is eternal and what is temporary” and embrace their calling to become seminarians who follow Jesus.
On the Day of Prayer for Spiritual Vocations, the doors of the seminary are open as usual to all, baptized and unbaptized, to experience a time of fraternal sharing in the community. The diocese will also send priests and seminarians to parishes to testify to the priestly vocation before the people of God.
On April 11, two young people were ordained priests in Datong Diocese (Shanxi Province), and 13 priests in the Xi’an Archdiocese celebrated 25 years together as priests. (New Zealand) (Agenzia Fides, April 19, 2024)
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