The Year of Vocation is an initiative of the Catholic Church in Ireland. The Year was launched by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin on Vocations Sunday 13th April last and it runs until Vocations Sunday 3rd May 2009.
The aim of the Year of Vocation is to raise awareness of the common vocation that we all share through baptism as expressed through witness, love and service. Within each of these themes and throughout 2008-2009 the specific vocations of marriage, the religious life, the single life and priesthood will be highlighted and promoted.
Some highlights of the year will include: a national prayer campaign for students at examination time; a focus on World Youth Day to coincide with the events in Sydney on 15-20 July; and, collaboration with the national pilgrimage centres to reflect on the vocation during their seasons.
During the month of July people are encouraged to pray for young people, those who have traveled to Sydney for the World youth Day celebrations as well as those who were unable to travel. A special prayer card for young people has been published for use throughout the Year of Vocation. The prayer card is being circulated to school s for use during the year and it is also available to download from www.yourvocation.ie
A special focus for the Year of Vocation in July will be the Knock Youth Festival which takes place from Thursday 24th to Sunday 27th July 2008. Bishop Donal McKeown, Auxiliary Bishop of Down and Connor and Chairman of the Bishops’ Commission for Vocations will preside at the closing Mass of the festival.
The festival has been themed ‘Living Life to the Full?'. Speaking about the youth festival, Ms. Ann Lee, Director of Youth Ministry, Knock said: “Our lives can be so swamped with the noise and pace of modern life,” she explained. “It’s difficult to find time and space to tune out of our iPods, mobile phones, computer or whatever, and just tune into ourselves. This festival is about helping people get back in touch with what is really important in life. Are they happy? Or are their lives full to the point of bursting but really just empty at the heart of it.”
Leading theologian, Fr. Michael Paul Gallagher SJ, will provide a workshop about peoples’ deepest desires and their fulfillment, faith and unbelief, culture and spirituality.
Catholic band Elation are also set to perform.
The youth festival event has been a growing success since it was first held in 2002 but this is the first time the Youth Ministry in Knock have organised the festival independently.
Ms Lee continued: “We are providing a programme that enables young people to realise their desires and needs and to facilitate a powerful encounter with Christ in that place,” continued Ms. Lee. We want to empower and direct the young people to return home in groups and to become active in passing on the torch of faith among their peers.”
The Bishops of Ireland are also working with Knock Youth Ministry this year in an attempt to support, nurture and embrace the youth of their dioceses.”
The Year of Vocation office will have copies of the prayer for guidance available at the Knock Youth Festival and will also have a specially commissioned Year of Vocation wristband available.
Click www.yourvocation.ie and Knock Youth Festival for further information.
