ORDER OF PREACHERS
The Dominican Family
Trinidad & Tobago

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS
POPE BENEDICT XVI
FOR THE 44th WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS

29th APRIL 2007 -FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

Theme: “The vocation to the service of the Church as communion”

Venerable Brothers in the Episcopate,
Dear brothers and sisters!

The annual World Day of Prayer for Vocations is an appropriate occasion for highlighting the importance of vocations in the life and mission of the Church, as well as for intensifying our prayer that they may increase in number and quality. For the coming celebration, I would like to draw the attention of the whole people of God to the following theme, which is more topical than ever: the vocation to the service of the Church as communion.

Last year, in the Wednesday general audiences, I began a new series of catechesis dedicated to the relationship between Christ and the Church. I pointed out that the first Christian community was built, in its original core, when some fishermen of Galilee, having met Jesus, let themselves be conquered by his gaze and his voice, and accepted his pressing invitation: “Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men!” (Mk 1: 17; cf. Mt 4: 19). In fact, God has always chosen some individuals to work with him in a more direct way, in order to accomplish his plan of salvation. In the Old Testament, in the beginning, he called Abraham to form a “great nation” (Gn 12: 2); afterwards, he called Moses to free Israel from the slavery of Egypt (cf. Ex 3: 10). Subsequently, he designated other persons, especially the prophets, to defend and keep alive the covenant with his people. In the New Testament, Jesus, the promised Messiah, invited each of the Apostles to be with him (cf. Mk 3: 14) and to share his mission. At the Last Supper, while entrusting them with the duty of perpetuating the memorial of his death and resurrection until his glorious return at the end of time, he offered for them to his Father this heart-broken prayer: “I made known to them your name, and I will make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them” (Jn 17: 26). The mission of the Church, therefore, is founded on an intimate and faithful communion with God.

The Second Vatican Council’s Constitution Lumen gentium describes the Church as “a people made one with the unity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit” (n. 4), in which is reflected the very mystery of God. This means that the love of the Trinity is reflected in her. Moreover, thanks to the work of the Holy Spirit, all the members of the Church form “one body and one spirit” in Christ. This people, organically structured under the guidance of its Pastors, lives the mystery of communion with God and with the brethren, especially when it gathers for the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the source of that ecclesial unity for which Jesus prayed on the eve of his passion: “Father…that they also may be one in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (Jn 17: 21). This intense communion favours the growth of generous vocations at the service of the Church: the heart of the believer, filled with divine love, is moved to dedicate itself wholly to the cause of the Kingdom. In order to foster vocations, therefore, it is important that pastoral activity be attentive to the mystery of the Church as communion; because whoever lives in an ecclesial community that is harmonious, co-responsible and conscientious, certainly learns more easily to discern the call of the Lord. The care of vocations, therefore, demands a constant “education” for listening to the voice of God. This is what Eli did, when he helped the young Samuel to understand what God was asking of him and to put it immediately into action (cf. 1 Sam 3: 9). Now, docile and faithful listening can only take place in a climate of intimate communion with God which is realized principally in prayer. According to the explicit command of the Lord, we must implore the gift of vocations, in the first place by praying untiringly and together to the “Lord of the harvest”. The invitation is in the plural: “Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest” (Mt 9: 38). This invitation of the Lord corresponds well with the style of the “Our Father” (Mt 6: 9), the prayer that he taught us and that constitutes a “synthesis of the whole Gospel” according to the well-known expression of Tertullian (cf. De Oratione, 1,6: CCL I, 258). In this perspective, yet another expression of Jesus is instructive: “If two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven (Mt 18: 19). The Good Shepherd, therefore, invites us to pray to the heavenly Father, to pray unitedly and insistently, that he may send vocations for the service of the Church as communion.

Harvesting the pastoral experience of past centuries, the Second Vatican Council highlighted the importance of educating future priests to an authentic ecclesial communion. In this regard, we read in Presbyterorum ordinis: “Exercising the office of Christ, the shepherd and head, according to their share of his authority, the priests, in the name of the Bishop, gather the family of God together as a brotherhood enlivened by one spirit. Through Christ they lead them in the Holy Spirit to God the Father” (n. 6). The post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation Pastores dabo vobis echoes this statement of the Council, when it underlines that the priest is “the servant of the Church as communion because – in union with the Bishop and closely related to the presbyterate – he builds up the unity of the Church community in harmony of diverse vocations, charisms and services” (n. 16). It is indispensable that, within the Christian people, every ministry and charism be directed to full communion; and it is the duty of the Bishop and priests to promote this communion in harmony with every other Church vocation and service. The consecrated life, too, of its very nature, is at the service of this communion, as highlighted by my venerable predecessor John Paul II in the post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation Vita consecrata: “The consecrated life can certainly be credited with having effectively helped to keep alive in the Church the obligation of fraternity as a form of witness to the Trinity. By constantly promoting fraternal love, also in the form of common life, the consecrated life has shown that sharing in the Trinitarian communion can change human relationships and create a new type of solidarity” (n. 41).

At the centre of every Christian community is the Eucharist, the source and summit of the life of the Church. Whoever places himself at the service of the Gospel, if he lives the Eucharist, makes progress in love of God and neighbour and thus contributes to building the Church as communion. We can affirm that the “Eucharistic love” motivates and founds the vocational activity of the whole Church, because, as I wrote in the Encyclical Deus caritas est, vocations to the priesthood and to other ministries and services flourish within the people of God wherever there are those in whom Christ can be seen through his Word, in the sacraments and especially in the Eucharist. This is so because “in the Church’s Liturgy, in her prayer, in the living community of believers, we experience the love of God, we perceive his presence and we thus learn to recognize that presence in our daily lives. He loved us first and he continues to do so; we too, then, can respond with love” (n. 17).

Lastly, we turn to Mary, who supported the first community where “all these with one accord devoted themselves to prayer” (Acts 1: 14), so that she may help the Church in today’s world to be an icon of the Trinity, an eloquent sign of divine love for all people. May the Virgin, who promptly answered the call of the Father saying, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord” (Lc 1: 38), intercede so that the Christian people will not lack servants of divine joy: priests who, in communion with their Bishops, announce the Gospel faithfully and celebrate the sacraments, take care of the people of God, and are ready to evangelize all humanity. May she ensure, also in our times, an increase in the number of consecrated persons, who go against the current, living the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience, and give witness in a prophetic way to Christ and his liberating message of salvation. Dear brothers and sisters whom the Lord calls to particular vocations in the Church: I would like to entrust you in a special way to Mary, so that she, who more than anyone else understood the meaning of the words of Jesus, “My mother and my brethren are those who hear the word of God and do it” (Lk 8: 21), may teach you to listen to her divine Son. May she help you to say with your lives: “Lo, I have come to do thy will, O God” (cf. Heb 10: 7). With these wishes, I assure each one of you a special remembrance in prayer and from my heart I bless you all.

From the Vatican, 10 February 2007.

BENEDICT XVI

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS 2007

Each year we celebrate the World Day of Prayer for Vocations and the Holy Father writes a special message for the occasion. Pope Benedict XVI has published his message for 2007. He tells us that this celebration has a double objective:

·        It is meant to highlight the importance of vocations in the life and mission of the Church.

·        Secondly, it reminds us to pray for an increase in the number and quality of vocations.

One of the first points the Pope makes is that “God has always chosen some individuals to work with him in a more direct way, in order to accomplish his plan of salvation.” He supplies several examples. The disciples who were fishermen accepted the invitation to follow him and become fishers of men, thus sharing in the mission of Jesus. Abraham was called to form a great nation and Christianity, Judaism and Islam are descendants of Abraham. Moses was chosen to free the Israelites from the slavery in Egypt. The prophets were called to keep alive the covenant God had made with his people.

In his prayer at the Last Supper, Jesus said to his Father that his purpose in selecting the apostles was to they might share in God’s love, that they might have an intimate relationship of unity with himself.

Apostles and their successors, the bishops and priests, continue that mission of Christ to fill people with the love of God.

What a state of life: to be filled with God’s love and to be one who shares that love with the world!

Often what is at fault is a carelessness in listening to the word of God, especially when he asks some to become fishers of men and fill the world with love. They will hear the invitation properly only in prayer that includes listening as well as speaking. And all, both young and old, men and women, must pray for an increase in the gift of vocations.

Mary assisted the first community in Jerusalem to pray. She will help us also. All should ask her to help people to respond as generously and promptly to God’s invitation with her words: “Behold, the servant of the Lord; be it done to me as you, not I wish”.

The Incarnation is God becoming man to save mankind. Why not say that Biblical prayer, the Angelus, three times a day, and as you recall Mary’s response to God, offer this prayer for quantity and quality vocations? Have you a generous response to this question?

MEDITATION ON WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS 2007

The Holy Father Benedict XVI begins his special message to the Youth of the World for Palm Sunday 2007 by proposing that together they meditate upon the words: “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” (Jn 13:34).

He opens with the question: Is it possible to love? He gives a resounding positive response and adds: “The purpose of my message is to help reawaken in each one of you — you who are the future and hope of humanity — trust in a love that is true, faithful and strong; a love that generates peace and joy; a love that binds people together and allows them to feel free in respect for one another.”

He then invites each of you to accompany him on a journey together in three stages, as together you embark on a “discovery” of love.

1.         God, the source of love

The Holy Father states a fundamental truth about the source of true love. He quotes St. John: who declares that “God is love” (1 Jn 4: 8,16). The Pope clarifies: St John was not simply saying that God loves us, but that the very being — the real identity — of God is love.

2.         The Cross of Christ fully reveals the love of God

He then moves on to ask a question: How is — not ‘God’s love’ but — ‘God–Love’ (the Pope’s way of describing “the very being” of God) revealed to us? “Even though the signs of divine love are already clearly present in creation, the full revelation of the intimate mystery of God came to us through the Incarnation when God himself became man. In Christ, true God and true Man, we have come to know love in all its magnitude.”

The Message continues: “The manifestation of divine love is total and perfect in the Cross where, we are told by Saint Paul, ‘God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us’ (Rm 5:8). Therefore, each one of us can truly say: ‘Christ loved me and gave himself up for me’ (cf Eph 5:2). Redeemed by his blood, no human life is useless or of little value, because each of us is loved personally by Him with a passionate and faithful love, a love without limits.

3.         Loving our neighbour as Christ loves us

Now we have arrived at the third stage of the Holy Father’s reflection. “Christ cried out from the Cross: ‘I am thirsty’ (Jn 19:28). This shows us his burning thirst to love and to be loved by each one of us. It is only by coming to perceive the depth and intensity of such a mystery that we can realize the need and urgency to love him as He has loved us. This also entails the commitment to give even our lives, if necessary, for our brothers and sisters sustained by love for Him.”

a.         Witnesses to the love of Christ

At this point the Holy Father points out three areas of life where you are called to demonstrate the love of God. “The first area is the Church, our spiritual family, made up of all the disciples of Christ.” Mindful of his words: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn 13:35), you should stimulate, with your enthusiasm and charity, the activities of the parishes, the communities, the ecclesial movements and the youth groups to which you belong. Be attentive in your concern for the welfare of others, faithful to the commitments you have made. Do not hesitate to joyfully abstain from some of your entertainments; cheerfully accept the necessary sacrifices; testify to your faithful love for Jesus by proclaiming his Gospel, especially among young people of your age.”

b.         Preparing for the future

The second area, where you are called to express your love and grow in it, is your preparation for the future that awaits you. The Holy Father speaks of youth preparing to marry. After describing the love of man and woman he continues: “Likewise, dear young men and women, be ready to say “yes” if God should call you to follow the path of ministerial priesthood or the consecrated life. Your example will be one of encouragement for many of your peers who are seeking true happiness.”

c.         Growing in love each day

The third area of commitment that comes with love is that of daily life with its multiple relationships. The Pope refers particularly to family, studies, work and free time. “Dear young friends, cultivate your talents, not only to obtain a social position, but also to help others to ‘grow’. Develop your capacities, not only in order to become more ‘competitive’ and ‘productive’, but to be ‘witnesses of charity’…. The horizon of love is truly boundless: it is the whole world!”

“Dare to love” by following the example of the saints

What a challenge the Holy Father presents to each of you: “My dear young friends, I want to invite you to ‘dare to love’. Do not desire anything less for your life than a love that is strong and beautiful and that is capable of making the whole of your existence a joyful undertaking of giving yourselves as a gift to God and your brothers and sisters, in imitation of the One who vanquished hatred and death forever through love (cf Rev 5:13). Love is the only force capable of changing the heart of the human person and of all humanity, by making fruitful the relations between men and women, between rich and poor, between cultures and civilisations. This is shown to us in the lives of the saints. They are true friends of God who channel and reflect this very first love. Try to know them better, entrust yourselves to their intercession, and strive to live as they did.” (Check our Dominican webpage www.dominicans-tt.org for more information on the Dominican saints and blesseds).

The secret of love

The Holy Father concludes: “Each one of us, my dear friends, has been given the possibility of reaching this same level of love, but only by having recourse to the indispensable support of divine Grace. Only the Lord’s help will allow us to keep away from resignation when faced with the enormity of the task to be undertaken. It instills in us the courage to accomplish that which is humanly inconceivable. Above all, the Eucharist is the great school of love. When we participate regularly and with devotion in Holy Mass, when we spend a sustained time of adoration in the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, it is easier to understand the length, breadth, height and depth of his love that goes beyond all knowledge (cf Eph 3:17–18).”