Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment
“ Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment ” Preparatory Document – Rev. Dr. Kalarickal Sebastian Shiju “I ask this especially of the Pastors of the Church, the Bishops and the Priests: you are the ones principally responsible for Christian and priestly vocations, and this task cannot be relegated to a bureaucratic office. You too have experienced an encounter that changed your life, when another priest — a parish priest, a confessor, a spiritual director — helped you experience the beauty of God’s love. Thus, you too: going out, listening to young people — it takes patience! — you can help them understand the movements of their heart and guide their steps” (Pope Francis, Address to Participants in the International Conference on Pastoral Work for Vocations , 21 October 2016). BACKGROUND The wider process started with the Synod on the New Evangelisation (2012) and the resulting Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (2013). The two synods on t...