Whoever loves their vocation promotes it!
Promoting one’s vocation is, first and foremost, loving the missionary work to which we were called and wanting this work to continue in force throughout time. It is a sign of love for one’s vocation, as the Redemptorist Constitutions tell us:
“… All confreres, therefore, to the extent of their esteem and love for their own vocation, dedicate themselves to the apostolate of promoting vocations for the Congregation ” (Const. 79).
Taking on your vocation is finding your place in the world.
Therefore, on this day, we want to remember the value of our vocation, which is summed up in giving for the Kingdom of God, seeking to announce the Love and Mercy of a God who wants life for all and life in abundance ( John 10:10 ), that is, it is Plentiful Redemption.
Vocation is Gift
Saint Alphonsus himself already warned in his Circular Letters: “ Have great esteem in your Vocation, the greatest grace that God could give you after the benefit of Creation and Redemption. Thank Our Lord every day, filling yourself with great fear of losing ” (Circular Letter, August 8, 1754).
Vocation is Service
Taking on your vocation is finding your place in the world. It is realizing that God leads us and wants to count on us in his project of love for humanity. We therefore continue the action of Jesus the Redeemer today in our history when we assume, with faith and courage, the call He gives us: “ Go, make disciples ” ( Mt 28, 19).
Vocation is Mission
Every call places us in a missionary dimension. Our Redemptorist Vocation is a call that drives us to serve the poorest and most abandoned of our times so that, like the Redeemer himself, we can give new life to people, restoring them to their dignity as a human person, a creature loved by God!
Therefore, as Redemptorists, God gives us the gift of serving in the Mission. It is a vocation filled with a unique experience of being among the people, assuming the humility, simplicity, and attention of Jesus towards people. We are, therefore, living memories of the Redeemer! This is a gift that must be reflected in service so as not to hinder the Mission of Jesus. It’s worth being a Redemptorist!
Fr. Lucas Emanuel, C.Ss.R.
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