PROPOSING OUR VOCATION
TO OTHERS

Juan Carlos Martos, CMF
Rome, APRIL 2004

The General Chapter urges us again to openly invite those who show signs of a Claretian vocation to join us (Cf. TMHL 73.1). It repeats what no one disputes and asks for it again out of necessity. Experience shows that proposing a vocation to religious life continues to be a prominent feature of our pastoral work. There are few Claretians who, in their pastoral work, customarily direct the proposal openly to young people.

Why don’t we more often propose our vocation to others? Is it laziness or fear? Is it insenitivity or because we have greater concerns? Maybe it happens because we don’t know how to do it? Will it be done if we don’t do it? Do we avoid it , perhaps, because of misconceptions and discouragement? Why do only a handful do it? We must recapture the common conviction of making sure that young people take God into account when planning the future of their life.

The approaching Day of Prayer for Consecrated Vocations calls on us to intensify our prayer to the Lord to send workers into his harvest. Let us pray in particular that we Claretians and pastoral ministers may propose our vocation openly to others. What do we have to ask for?

· That we may draw closer to young people, fostering direct, personalized and high-quality contact with them. Let us never forget that personal interaction is the most favorable setting for promoting vocations.

· That we may explicitly propose our vocation. Let us not remain silent or hope that it will spontaneously occur to them. Let us take advantage of the opportunities that normally arise in our pastoral work. They are the “vocational kairos” of grace that must not pass us by.

· That we may be clear, direct and respectful. We must be very aware that without freedom it is impossible to make a decision that lasts. Let us propose lofty goals, without compromise. Let us openly confront the enemies of vocation which are usually doubts, fears and laziness. And let us be respectful, always respectful, without replacing, forcing, ignoring, slowing down or speeding up personal processes.
· That we may accompany others in their discernment. Let us make ourselves present and close to young people in their processes. Let us always remain at their side, even though we don’t see any results or achieve the planned objectives. Let us be disinterested, manifesting the purity of our intention.
· That we may work gratuitously. Let us place our trust exclusively in the Lord and not in our own efforts. Let us never forget that vocation ministry lives by Providence. Let us work for all vocations, and not only for Claretian ones. This will prevent mistrust and make us more credible.
We may have to repeat this invitation many times. But, at this time and along with other initiatives, we cannot quibble over any effort in this work that is so vital for the present and the future of our life and mission. The results will be the Lord’s response to our earnest prayers. May the Lord and his Mother bless us with the desired and fitting results.
Juan Carlos Martos, CMF
Secretariat for Vocation Ministry