Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - "Called to put out into the deep" is the theme chosen by Pope John Paul II for his Message for the 42nd World Day of Prayer for Vocations, to be held on 17 April, 4th Sunday of Easter. "Called to put out into the deep" Christ says to his disciples and this results in a miraculous catch of fish and it was also the exhortation which the Pope used to open his apostolic Letter Novo Millennio Ineunte: “"Duc in altum!" The command of Christ is particularly relevant in our time, when there is a widespread mentality which, in the face of difficulties, favours personal non-commitment”.
The first condition for “putting out into the deep”, the Pope writes in his Message, “is to cultivate a deep spirit of prayer nourished by a daily listening to the Word of God. The authenticity of the Christian life is measured by the depth of one’s prayer, an art that must be humbly learnt "from the lips of the Divine Master"”. “Whoever opens his heart to Christ will not only understand the mystery of his own existence, but also that of his own vocation; he will bear the abundant fruit of grace... Living the Gospel without adding to it, the Christian becomes always increasingly capable of loving in the way that Christ loved".
The Pope writes to adolescents and young people: "You find yourselves having to make important decisions for your future.... came to recognise more and more how strong is the attraction in young people to the values of the spirit, and how sincere is their desire for holiness. Young people need Christ, but they also know that Christ chose to be in need of them.". and he says: “Dear young men and women! Trust Christ; listen attentively to his teachings, fix your eyes on his face, persevere in listening to his Word. Allow Him to focus your search and your aspirations, all your ideals and the desires of your heart”.
To parents, Christian educators, priests, consecrated persons and catechists, the Holy Father says: “Be an example to them of generous fidelity to Christ... Help them to discern their path, and to become true friends of Christ and his true disciples…Do not forget that today too there is need of holy priests, of persons wholly consecrated to the service of God!!".
The Message ends with a prayer to Christ the High Priest, that he may give to the Church, “young people who are ready to put out into the deep, to be the sign among their brothers of Your presence which renews and saves. The Pope entrusts to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, families and ecclesial communities that she “may help adolescents and young people to answer generously the call of the Lord..” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 11/1/2005; righe 31, parole 435)
