How can the Church help young people to discover and embrace their vocations? This is among the questions that bishops will seek to answer at the synod in October, dedicated to the theme: Young people, the faith, and vocational discernment.
“I thought that a vocation meant becoming a priest or a nun,” one young woman told Aleteia.
This tendency to reduce the concept of vocation is unfortunately common. But with guidance from the Church, more and more young people can learn that we all have a special calling from God, a “mission” all our own.
“Now I know that it means something to do with you and your path, and what it means to become an adult,” she added later.
[Watch her story and more in the video above]
Many young people shared that it can be difficult to discover one’s vocation, and wished they had more help and guidance in discerning it.
The role of prayer and trusting God in discerning vocation is a key message that young people need and want to hear.
“A vocation means an encounter, but at the same time, entrusting yourself” to God, one woman explained.
As our culture sees rising rates of depression and purposelessness, it is more important than ever to believe in one’s calling and purpose in this world — “a purpose that makes it worth getting up in the morning,” a young woman explained.
Even vocations that seem insignificant in the eyes of the world may have infinite value before God. “No matter how small of a role you think you play, it’s important nonetheless,” said one young man.
For most people, vocation will involve their professional work — “to try to give the best to my clients,” for example.
As young people struggle to find their purpose and passion, the Church has an invaluable role to play in offering them guidance and support, and reminding them always to turn back to God.
And today we celebrate...