I can’t remember any times that Pope Francis, when speaking to young people, ever promoted vocations to the priesthood and religious life in a direct way, without complaining about those who are thinking about vocations or are in the seminary. If I am wrong, please correct me.
But this is an exhortation that Pope Leo just sent to young people gathering in Medjugorje::
MESSAGE OF THE HOLY FATHER LEO XIV
TO PARTICIPANTS IN THE 36th INTERNATIONAL YOUTH FESTIVAL (MLADIFEST)
[Medjugorje, 4-8 August 2025]
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Dear young people,
I am very pleased to address you, with a message on the occasion of the 36th Festival which brings together in Medjugorje, as every year. You come from many countries of the world: I affectionately address the greeting of the Risen Lord to all of you: “Peace be with you!”
In these days you are meditating on the motto chosen for the Festival: “We will go to the house of the Lord” (Psalm 122:1). This phrase tells us of a journey, of a desire to move towards God, towards his dwelling-place, where we can truly be at home, because he awaits us there with his Love. How can one walk towards the house of the Lord without losing our way? Jesus told us: “I am the way” (Jn 14:6): it is he who accompanies us, leads us, strengthens us along the way. His Spirit opens our eyes and makes us see what we would not be able to understand by ourselves.
On the path of life, no-one walks alone. Our paths are always intertwined with those of others: we are made for encounter, for walking together, for discovering together a shared goal. Therefore, I gladly share with you a reflection of Saint Augustine, who does not speak about the house of the Lord as a distant destination, but rather announces the joy of a journey experienced together, as a pilgrim people: “Let us go, let us go! They thus speak to one another and, kindling, as it were, one another, they form a single flame. And this one flame, born of the one speaking communicates to the other the fire with which it burns” (S. Aurelii Augustini, Enarrationes in Psalmos, PL 37, p. 1619). What a wonderful image! No one walks alone: we incite each other, we kindle each other. The flames of hearts unite, and become one great fire that lights the way. You too, young people, are not lonely pilgrims. This road to the Lord is travelled together. This is the beauty of faith lived in the Church.
Through everyday encounters, we can journey together on our pilgrimage towards the house of the Lord. In this regard, dear friends, you know well that we live in an increasingly digital world, where artificial intelligence and technology offer a thousand opportunities. Remember: no algorithm can ever substitute an embrace, a glance, a true encounter, neither with God, nor our friends, nor our family. Think of Mary. She too set out on an arduous journey to meet her cousin Elizabeth. It was not easy, but she did it, and that encounter gave rise to joy: John the Baptist rejoiced in his mother’s womb, recognizing the living presence of the Lord in the womb of the virgin Mary. Following Mary’s example, I therefore encourage you to seek out true encounters. Rejoice together, and do not be afraid to weep with those who weep, as Saint Paul also tells us: “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” (Rm 12:15).
You have come to Medjugorje from many nations, and perhaps it seems that language or culture is an obstacle to encounter: take courage. There is a language stronger than any barrier, the language of faith, nourished by God’s love. You are all members of his Body, which is the Church: meet each other, get to know each other, share. Only in this way, by walking together, supporting each other, inspiring each other, will we reach the house of the Lord. What a joy to know that we are awaited in the house of the Father, welcomed by his love, and that we do not have to walk alone, but together!
Along the way, if any of you feel within the calling to a special vocation, to the consecrated life or the priesthood, I encourage you not to be afraid to respond. That invitation, which you feel vibrate within, comes from God, who speaks to our hearts. Listen to him with confidence: indeed, the word of the Lord not only makes us truly free and happy, but also authentically fulfils us as men and as Christians.
Dear young people, as I entrust every one of you to Mary, Mother of Christ and our Mother, I accompany you with my prayers. May the Holy Virgin encourage you and guide you along the way, to become proclaimers of peace and hope. From my heart I impart upon all of you my apostolic blessing.
From Castel Gandolfo, 9 July 2025
Leo PP. XIV
8 comments:
Methinks, you are not wrong, Father.
Francis was a politician, not a pope
From: USCCB. Pope Francis' (requiescat in pace) monthly prayer intention for February 2025 A.D: For vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
-- FEBRUARY, 2025 - FOR VOCATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD AND RELIGIOUS LIFE | The Pope Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jfn1XYDfro
Excerpts: Pope Francis:
"Let us pray that the ecclesial community might welcome the desires and doubts of those young people who feel a call to serve Christ's mission in the priesthood and religious life."
"God still calls young people even today, sometimes in ways we can’t imagine. Let’s trust young people!"
Pax.
Mark Thomas
Pope Francis:
-- Messages For World Day of Prayer for Vocations. 2014 A.D. to 2025 A.D.
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/vocations.html
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March 20, 2025 A.D. Our Sunday Visitor:
-- Pope urges young people to embrace vocation as ‘pilgrims of hope’
https://www.osvnews.com/pope-urges-young-people-to-embrace-vocation-as-pilgrims-of-hope/
VATICAN CITY — Amid widespread uncertainty and social fragmentation, Pope Francis urged young people to embrace their vocation as “pilgrims of hope,” offering their lives generously in service to others and as a response to God’s love.
Every vocation in the church — to ordained ministry, consecrated life or life as a layperson — "is a sign of God’s hope for the world and for each of his children," the pope wrote in his message for World Day of Prayer for Vocations to be observed May 11.
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Pope Francis: 2018 A.D.
POST-SYNODAL APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION: CHRISTUS VIVIT.
TO YOUNG PEOPLE AND TO THE ENTIRE PEOPLE OF GOD
"If we are indeed convinced that the Holy Spirit continues to inspire vocations to the priesthood and the religious life, we can “once more cast out the nets” in the Lord’s name, with complete confidence. We can dare, as we should, to tell each young person to ask whether this is the path that they are meant to follow.
"Occasionally, I would bring this up with young people, and they would respond almost jokingly: “No, that’s not for me!”
"Yet, a few years later, some of them were in the seminary. The Lord cannot fail in his promise to provide the Church with shepherds, for without them she would not be able to live and carry out her mission.
"In discerning your vocation, do not dismiss the possibility of devoting yourself to God in the priesthood, the religious life or in other forms of consecration.
"Why not? You can be sure that, if you do recognize and follow a call from God, there you will find complete fulfilment."
Pax
Mark Thomas
AI Overview:
"Pope Francis consistently encourages young people to consider a vocation to the priesthood, emphasizing the importance of a life of service and faith.
"He urges young people to embrace their vocation as "pilgrims of hope" and to generously offer their lives in service to others. "
Here's a more detailed look at his encouragement:
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Pax.
Mark Thomas
On March 25 he was dying and imagine a flunky put that message out. The Kremlin did that with Stalin too! Yet he mocked and derided seminarians and Father McDonald has provided numerous examples. You have a screw loose
As I had demonstrated yesterday, there are wonderful examples of Pope Francis (requiescat in pace) having promoted priestly vocations, in particular, to young people directly.
With Father McDonald's permission, here is an additional example of that:
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ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS TO THE PILGRIMAGE OF THE VOCATIONIST FAMILY. 22 May 2023
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/may/documents/20230522-famiglia-vocazionista.html
Excerpts:
"Each of you answer this question interiorly — not out loud, but within your heart: Do I pray for vocations? Do I offer intense prayer for vocations?
"Prayer is the root of all our activities and of every apostolate. Of prime importance are not our works, our structures or our organisations, but prayer. It is paramount.
"And this is why the first question is: Do I pray for vocations?
"Because when we enter into the spirit of contemplation and adoration, the Lord transforms us, and we can be a reflection of the love of the Father for those we meet along the way.
"When we become this way, we offer a service first to vocations, because those we meet, especially young people, are attracted by our way of being and by the life choice we have made.
"They can glimpse God’s light reflected in our faces, his tenderness and his love in our gestures, his joy in the hearts of men and women who have given themselves entirely to him.
"Vocations, especially those of special consecration, are often born this way, in contact with some priest or religious sister who shows beautiful humanity, peace of heart, invincible joy, a loving and welcoming feature.
"And it is prayer which makes us become this way.
"Let us not neglect it! Praying intensely for vocations."
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In my diocese, in regard to priests ordained during Pope Francis' Pontificate:
Said holy men have noted the positive role that Pope Francis had played in regard to their decisions to serve as priests.
Ultimately, said inspiration had flowed from God, via his holy, humble servant, Pope Francis. Therefore, any/all Glory in question belongs to God.
Pax.
Mark Thomas
Fr. AJM,
The stronger point is that he made few or no such positive statements from his own mouth; there are many examples that were simply put out as busy work by some poor overworked Vatican scribe with his signature happening to come at the bottom.
Nick
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