On the theme of vocations, the Second Vatican Council has offered us a very rich doctrinal, spiritual and pastoral patrimony. In harmony with its profound vision of the Church, it solemnly affirms that the duty to foster vocations “concerns the whole Christian community” (Optatam totius, 2). Twenty years later, the Church feels called to verify her fidelity to this great mother idea of the Council in view of a further commitment.
Much has been done, but much remains to be done.
I therefore wish to focus the attention of the People of God especially on the specific tasks of parish communities, from which the Council expects, together with the contribution of the family, the “maximum contribution” to the growth of vocations.
Our thoughts turn immediately to the many parish communities that the Bishops are forced to leave without Pastors, so much so that the Lord’s lament becomes ever timely: “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few” (Mt 9:37).
The Church has an immense need for priests. This is one of the most serious urgencies that challenge Christian communities. Jesus does not want a Church without priests. If priests are missing, Jesus is missing in the world, his Eucharist is missing, his forgiveness is missing. For its own mission, the Church also has an immense need for an abundance of other consecrated vocations.
The Christian people cannot accept with passivity and indifference the decrease in vocations. Vocations are the future of the Church. A community poor in vocations impoverishes the whole Church; on the contrary, a community rich in vocations is a richness for the whole Church.