VATICAN CITY, 13 APR 2008 (VIS) - At midday today, the Holy Father appeared at the window of his study overlooking St. Peter's Square to pray the Regina Coeli with thousands of pilgrims gathered there.
Today, the Pope told the faithful, marks the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. "On all continents", he said, "ecclesial communities ask the Lord for numerous and holy vocations to the priesthood, to consecrated life and the mission, and to Christian marriage, as they meditate upon the theme: 'Vocations at the service of the Church-mission'".
This year the World Day comes amid preparations for the 'Pauline Year', due to begin on 28 June, to celebrate the two thousandth anniversary of the birth of the Apostle Paul, "missionary par excellence", said the Holy Father.
For the Apostle of the Gentiles, "vocation and missionary were inseparable. Thus he represents a model for all Christians, and especially for missionaries 'ad vitam', in other words for the men and women who dedicate themselves entirely to announcing Christ to those people who still do not know Him".
"This missionary service is carried out in the first place by priests, who dispense the Word of God and the Sacraments and, through their pastoral charity, show everyone, especially the sick, the weak and the poor, the healing presence of Christ, ... sometimes confirming their faithfulness to Christ with the sacrifice of their lives". In this context, Pope Benedict recalled two religious killed recently in Guinea and in Kenya.
"Let us pray", he went on, "for constant increase in the ranks of those who decide to live the Gospel radically through the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience. They are men and women who have a prime role in evangelisation, ... united by a single goal: that of testifying to God's primacy over all, and spreading His Kingdom in all areas of society".
In closing, the Holy Father highlighted how "Christian matrimony is also a missionary vocation. Husband and wife are called to live the Gospel in the family, in the workplace, and in parish and civic communities", and they too "offer their valuable contribution to the mission 'ad gentes'".
ANG/PRAYER VOCATIONS/... VIS 20080414 (370)
Today, the Pope told the faithful, marks the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. "On all continents", he said, "ecclesial communities ask the Lord for numerous and holy vocations to the priesthood, to consecrated life and the mission, and to Christian marriage, as they meditate upon the theme: 'Vocations at the service of the Church-mission'".
This year the World Day comes amid preparations for the 'Pauline Year', due to begin on 28 June, to celebrate the two thousandth anniversary of the birth of the Apostle Paul, "missionary par excellence", said the Holy Father.
For the Apostle of the Gentiles, "vocation and missionary were inseparable. Thus he represents a model for all Christians, and especially for missionaries 'ad vitam', in other words for the men and women who dedicate themselves entirely to announcing Christ to those people who still do not know Him".
"This missionary service is carried out in the first place by priests, who dispense the Word of God and the Sacraments and, through their pastoral charity, show everyone, especially the sick, the weak and the poor, the healing presence of Christ, ... sometimes confirming their faithfulness to Christ with the sacrifice of their lives". In this context, Pope Benedict recalled two religious killed recently in Guinea and in Kenya.
"Let us pray", he went on, "for constant increase in the ranks of those who decide to live the Gospel radically through the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience. They are men and women who have a prime role in evangelisation, ... united by a single goal: that of testifying to God's primacy over all, and spreading His Kingdom in all areas of society".
In closing, the Holy Father highlighted how "Christian matrimony is also a missionary vocation. Husband and wife are called to live the Gospel in the family, in the workplace, and in parish and civic communities", and they too "offer their valuable contribution to the mission 'ad gentes'".
ANG/PRAYER VOCATIONS/... VIS 20080414 (370)
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