AMERICA/ARGENTINA - “He called those he wished to be with Him”: Mar del Plata diocesan Vocation Week to intensify commitment to pray for vocations and announce that “the Lord continues to call”

Mar del Plata (Agenzia Fides) - ‘He called those he wished to be with Him’ is the theme of a special week for vocations in the Argentinean diocese of Mar del Plata. The week opened on February 4 with a solemn Mass presided by the local Bishop, Bishop Juan Alberto Puíggari. The purpose is to intensify prayers for vocations and encourage young people to consider offering their lives to God in the priesthood or the consecrated life. Various initiatives during the week presided by the Bishop include: Monday in the cathedral at 8pm admission to Holy Orders of three seminarians; Tuesday young people are invited to a prayer vigil in the Cathedral with the Bishop, followed by Mass. Sunday 11, feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, Mass followed by a procession will be celebrated outdoors at a replica of the Grotto of Lourdes. Other initiatives through the week include parish meetings for prayer, catechesis, formation focussed on the theme of vocations. A special collection for vocations will be taken throughout the diocese on Saturday and Sunday. "This week - a diocesan statement reads - we are called to intensify our commitment to pray for vocations, especially vocations to the priesthood and we must not hesitate to announce boldly that the Lord continues to call". (RG) (Agenzia Fides 5/2/2007; righe 16, parole 247)