10 October 2019, Pachmarhi: A seminar was organised for the vocation promoters of Pachmarhi province. Thirty eight participants including novices and postulants along with the vocation promoters of various regions were present. Fr. WilliamTirkey SVD was the resource person.Sr. Rohini introduced the resource person to the group and he was welcomed him with a bouquet of flowers.
Fr. William began the session with a question “Why is there scarcity of vocation in Europe ?” Answer to this question he said is “because the young girls and boys do not want to commit themselves permanently for a life time as religious.”Then he explained the kind of vocation promoter we need to have.The Vocation Promoter should be a person who loves her vocation and has a deep sense of belongingness to the congregation.
The vocation promoter needs to attract the young to Jesus and not begin to call them to her congregation right at the outset. After identifying someone with a desire to follow Jesus visit the family of the person; get to know the background of the candidate and then if they wish let them contact the vocation promoter. The vocation promoter should have a single ministry of promoting vocation that too with abudget set aside by the province for the purpose of recruitment.
He further said that in order to promote vocation regular family visit is important;the vocation promoter need to know the culture and life style of the people from where she recruits candidates. She should be a person of prayer, faith, who has sufficient knowledge about herself,persons with whom she lives, about the world and its present scenario. She also needs to share her vocation story and God experiences with confidence to the recruited which would motivate and push the young girls to religious life.
Fr. William also emphasised the criteria for selecting the candidates. He said a candidate should have sound physical and mental health. She needs to have certificates of baptism, confirmation, recommendation letter from the parish priest, a letter which certify that she is joining the religious life with her own free will, permission letter from the parents and school certificate. Fr. Willian concluded the sessions playing the flute which he uses on his vocation tours; a good way of attracting the young.
S. Asha Prabha
