tagged articles with: vocation

Does religious life have a future? Yes.

Does religious life have a future? Yes.

John Loughlin - Catholic Herald - Religious el Thu, Mar 10th 2016

As the Church’s Year of Consecrated Life has just ended, it is worth reflecting on what has happened to religious life in general in Western countries over the past 50 years and whether it has a future. At first sight it is a rather grim picture. Many religious orders in the West are declining and ageing, but there’s actually plenty of good news as well. Those of us who entered religious life just after Vatican II will probably remember it in the words of Wordsworth after the French Revolution: “Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive”.

Missionary spirit means giving witness, not proselytizing, Pope Francis says

Missionary spirit means giving witness, not proselytizing, Pope Francis says

Junno Arocho Esteves, for Catholic News Service - Activities el Thu, Dec 3rd 2015

The pope appealed to all young people, calling on them to reflect on their vocation and "to not exclude the possibility of becoming a missionary" and to preach with their lives, not by proselytizing. "Those who are looking for something else are the ones that [proselytize]," he said. "Faith is preached first through witness then with words — but slowly." 

St. Anthony Mary Claret and his Missionary Zeal

St. Anthony Mary Claret and his Missionary Zeal

FR. Ed Broom, omv - Catholic Exchange - Claret el Fri, Oct 23rd 2015

Pope Francis constantly is challenging a world enveloped in the globalization of indifference that missionary zeal must be enkindled. Jesus reminds us with a heavy heart:  “The harvest is rich, but the laborers are few.” We would like to pay tribute to one missionary saint who should be taken as a splendid model for our modern world, whose feast day we celebrate every year on October 24: St. Anthony Mary Claret (1807-1870).

Particular charisms, such as priesthood, come more like the dawn than a lightning bolt

Particular charisms, such as priesthood, come more like the dawn than a lightning bolt

Sara Maitland-The Tablet - Priests el Thu, Jul 23rd 2015

This month we are “losing” our parish priest – he is being deployed elsewhere in the diocese, and cannot be replaced because there is no one to replace him. What were within living memory seven independent parishes will be served by a single priest. It is challenging, exciting and sad (particularly for the congregations that will lose their Sunday Mass). I will, no doubt, be telling you all how we get on! But so far what it has done is made me think about “vocations”.

Last Seminar of 2015 for Consecrated men and women.

Last Seminar of 2015 for Consecrated men and women.

Godgossip Reporter - Religious el Thu, May 21st 2015

Fr. Diarmuid O'Murchu will accompany us with his personal dedication and expertise. As we move deeper into the 21st Century, Religious will need to engage authentically with the ongoing decline of the current paradigm, and anticipate in a more discerning way what a new model of consecrated life will look like.

Number of new nuns in Britain trebles in five years

Number of new nuns in Britain trebles in five years

Rebecca Ratcliffe - The Guardian - Religious el Thu, Apr 23rd 2015

Women joining the church were keen to become part of a community that was committed to social issues. “In a really obvious sense, the women feel a religious calling to do so. On a more sociological level, these are women who have lived in the world and who find themselves in their late 20s, 30s or 40s making a conscious and hard choice to enter religious life.

Vocations are calls to embark on exodus to Promised Land, pope says

Vocations are calls to embark on exodus to Promised Land, pope says

Carol Glatz - Catholic News Service - Discernment el Thu, Apr 23rd 2015

"Responding to God's call, then, means allowing him to help us leave ourselves and our false security behind, and to strike out on the path which leads to Jesus Christ, the origin and destiny of our life and our happiness," the pope said in his message for the 2015 World Day of Prayer for Vocations. The day will be celebrated April 26 at the Vatican and in many dioceses around the world.

Consecrated Life is precious gift to the Church and the world.

Consecrated Life is precious gift to the Church and the world.

Vatican Radio - Religious el Thu, Aug 21st 2014

Pope Francis met on Saturday afternoon with Communities of Religious at the “School of Love” in Kkottongnae. Approximately 5000 male and female religious were present for the event.  Pope Francis concluded his address: “Dear brothers and sisters, with great humility, do all that you can to show that the consecrated life is a precious gift to the Church and to the world.

The Revolution is Here

The Revolution is Here

Carly Andrews - Tony Eccles - Aleteia - Activities el Thu, Jul 10th 2014

Invocation: The revolution is here: The organisation’s creator and Executive director Chris Smith speaks to Aleteia about the revolutionary organisation and the secret to its success. “Ultimately what we do is we try to help young people everywhere to hear, recognise, discern and then respond to the call of Christ in their lives.

With Pope Francis, it's prime time for Jesuits

With Pope Francis, it's prime time for Jesuits

Rachel Zoll - Religious el Thu, Apr 18th 2013

For decades, the Society of Jesus has faced the same struggles to find priests that have plagued the wider Roman Catholic Church. The Rev. Chuck Frederico says he usually heard from five a week, or fewer possible candidates. Then, last month, the former Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio stepped out on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica — the first Jesuit to be elected pope. The number of queries jumped to four or five each day.

Life of Saint Anthony Mary Claret

Life of Saint Anthony Mary Claret

Angel Ochagavia - Claret el Sun, Oct 21st 2012

CLARET realized his personal vocation in the Church, animated by a strong ecclesial sensitivity, and apostolic spirit, and an ardent love for Mary, whose maternal love directs the evangelizing work of our Congregation.With an acute sensitivity to the timely, urgent and effective, and a clear option for the poor, the least, and the consecrated, he responded to the urgent needs of the Church, and theworld of his time.

In Paradox There Is Virtue

In Paradox There Is Virtue

Ron Rolheiser, OMI - Articles el Wed, Aug 15th 2012

In religious discernment, how we recognize God's voice in our lives.? Does God speak in whispers or in thunder? Does God speak in pain or in blessing? Does God call us out of this world or more deeply into it?