Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kiev (Agenzia Fides) - From June 23, 2021 to June 23, 2022, the Orionine Family is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the birth of the founder, Don Luigi Orione, considered the “Father of Vocations”, with an Orionine Vocation Year. In this context, the Orionine communities of L'viv and Kiev, in Ukraine, recently launched the initiative called "One year for God", which takes its cue from a survey by the French Bishops' Conference on the condition of youth in France, according to which many of the new vocations to the priesthood and religious life came from young people who had attended the Taizè community or had lived the experience of “One year for God”, organized by some dioceses and religious institutes.
A program was therefore prepared by adapting it to the Ukrainian situation, a website (https://rikdlabogaorionistists.github.io/lviv/) connected with social networks was opened, brochures sent to all parish priests were printed and distributed in the various realities in contact with young people such as universities, youth centers, seminaries etc.
As stated in the note sent to Agenzia Fides, it is explained that the initiative is reserved for young people aged 17 to 29. "A year off to help you focus on the fundamental choices of your life and to understand your place in society and in the Church. A time to discover your abilities and to place yourself in a perspective of reflection for your future. Ten months of formation, of deepening the faith, of fraternal life, of service for other young people and for the disabled, of collaboration with the Orionini Community".
Young people will be welcomed into the L'viv Community and the year will be based on four pillars: Formation (spiritual, human, intellectual) with weekly courses held in the Orionini headquarters, at the Ukrainian Catholic University at the Theological Institute of the Basiliani Fathers. Service at the Orionine parish, the oratory, the family home for the disabled, the poor that the Community helps, with maintenance work, lending help to Kiev in the new activity. Faith: experience of personal and community prayer; personal accompaniment; apostolate and evangelization; path of discernment. Preparing for the future: courses and days of reflection to reflect on one's future and guide one's choice of life, with the help of a psychologist, a guidance counselor and some company managers.
"At the end of the year each person returns home and to their normal activities. Enriched by this period of discernment and reflection, one will be able to follow his/her own orientation in life and enter the world of work and professionalism, or begin a path of consecration to God, according to what each one has chosen. At the request of the interested party, it can be continued for another year". Adhesions must be sent by September. (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 17/8/2021)
