My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Sunday, May 11, Good Shepherd Sunday, is the 62nd World Day of Prayer for Vocations. In his message for this observance, Pope Francis, of beloved memory, wrote:
“Dearly beloved, the Church is alive and fruitful when she generates new vocations. Our world looks, often unknowingly, for witnesses of hope who proclaim with their lives that following Christ is a source of true joy. Let us never tire, then, of asking the Lord for new laborers for his harvest, certain that with great love he continues to call them. Dear young people, I entrust your efforts to follow the Lord to the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church and Mother of vocations. Keep walking as pilgrims of hope on the path of the Gospel! I accompany you with my blessing and I ask you, please, to pray for me” (Rome, Gemelli Hospital, 19 March 2025).
In praying for vocations, we turn to the Good Shepherd in prayer and adoration, another theme often repeated by Pope Francis. In his message for the 54th World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Pope Francis emphasized:
“There can be no promotion of vocations or Christian mission apart from constant contemplative prayer. The Christian life needs to be nourished by attentive listening to God’s Word and, above all, by the cultivation of a personal relationship with the Lord in Eucharistic Adoration, the privileged ‘place’ for our encounter with God.”
Pope Francis placed before us the close union between prayer and the fostering of vocations, between knowing the Eucharistic Christ and embracing a God-given vocation. Jesus accompanies us in discerning a vocation. In discovering the depth of Christ’s love for us and in knowing the God Shepherd Who never abandons His flock, we in turn unite our hearts to His Sacred Heart.
In his last message for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Pope Francis underlined this union of hearts: “Every vocation, once perceived in the depths of the heart, gives rise to an impulse to love and service, as an expression of hope and charity, rather than a means of self-promotion. Vocation and hope go together in God’s plan for the happiness of each man and woman, all of whom are called by name to give their lives for others (cf. Evangelii Gaudium, no. 268). Many young people seek to know the path God is calling them to take. Some find, often to their surprise, that they are called to the priesthood or to the consecrated life.”
In this issue of the Catholic Courier, we celebrate the special anniversaries of our priests, religious sisters and permanent deacons, expressing our gratitude for the many years of service represented among these servants of the Lord who united their hearts to the heart of Christ. Like our Mother Mary, they, too, have said: “thy will be done,” and accepted the call of Christ to follow Him.
The fostering of religious vocations among the laity is a manifestation of the laity’s appreciation for those who dedicate their entire lives to the service of the Lord, His church and the community of the faithful. Parents encourage their children to pursue careers and occupations they consider important and valuable in society. I pray that the priesthood, religious life and diaconate are among the life choices that parents desire for and present to their children.
Certainly, the positive and joyful witness given by dedicated priests, religious and permanent deacons cannot be underestimated in inspiring our young people to consider religious vocations as we seek to involve our youth in the life of the church, which needs their vitality and enthusiasm. We must be among the leaders in supporting our young people to answer the call of Jesus to serve.
Pope Francis clearly expressed his hope that “pastoral ministers and vocation directors, especially spiritual directors, should readily accompany young people with the hope, patience and trust that reflect God’s own ‘pedagogy.’ They should be capable of listening to them respectfully and sympathetically, and show themselves trustworthy, wise and helpful guides, ever attentive to discerning the signs of God’s presence in their journey” (62nd World Day of Prayer for Vocations message).
I am also mindful of those who have embraced ordained ministry and vowed religious life at a more mature age, bringing to these vocations the gifts and talents developed over their different stages of life. Some have left prominent positions, promising careers and financial success to respond to the Lord’s invitation to follow in His footsteps. May they continue their lives of ministry with the support of God’s people.
Future priests, deacons and religious, whoever you are, wherever you are and whatever you are doing: Holy Mother Church needs you; the Savior calls you; the suffering and lost sheep long for you. Be of good courage! Come forward gladly with the Shepherd’s love so that people may know and love Jesus Christ and, through your ministries, rejoice in the certainty of Jesus’ presence among us and exult in the glorious life of the sons and daughters of God!
In the Holy Gospel for Good Shepherd Sunday, Jesus says: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). But how will they follow Him if no one proclaims His message and celebrates His sacramental presence in our midst? We need the voices of those who become today’s apostles and disciples. This is the very message of the Apostle Paul to the Romans: “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? And how can men preach unless they are sent? Scripture says, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who announce the good news’” (Romans 10: 14-15).
Ever mindful of our devoted laity who assist our priests, deacons and religious in the fulfillment of our pastoral duties — to our pastoral associates and the countless numbers of laypeople throughout our parishes, institutions and charitable missions who so devotedly volunteer and assist us and do so with an admirable spirit of humility, joy and deep faith – to all of you I say thank you again and yet again!
In this month dedicated to our Blessed Mother Mary, Mother of Vocations, who willingly accepted the vocation to be the Mother of God and remained ever faithful to her Son throughout His entire earthly life, even unto the foot of the cross, we ask that she guide our young people in discerning their vocations so that the Word may again become flesh in our midst. May God bless all our efforts to create a world where faith is real, love is lived, charity abounds and peace rests upon us all!
Assuring you of my prayers throughout this holy season of Easter, I remain
Devotedly yours in Christ,
The Most Reverend
Salvatore R. Matano
Bishop of Rochester
