Accelerate your steps!!

Fr. José Lisboa Moreira de Oliveira, priest of the pp.Vocationists, doctor in theology through the Gregorian University, Rome, author of many books and dozens of articles on vocational themes, Director-president of the Institute of Pastoral Vocations (IPV), lecturer in the Sector of Vocations and Ministries of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil

Fr. Lisboa treated the theme of the methodology and pedagogy of Vocation Promotion.
“The invitation of Jesus, «Come and see» (Jn 1:39), is the golden rule of pastoral work for promoting vocations, even today. Following the example of founders and foundresses, this work aims at presenting the attraction of the person of the Lord Jesus and the beauty of the total gift of self for the sake of the Gospel” (John Paul II, The Consecrated Life, 1996, no. 64)

In his talks, Fr. José strongly provoked us by posing some questions which generated in the heart of each one of us, an anxiety and at the same time a strong appeal that reawakened in us the passion and the desire to put the person of Jesus at the centre of our life. We share with you some of the questions:
a) In their contact with us, what impact do we make on today’s youth, who belong to a culture of images?
b) In what way does the Congregation have to “die” to be “reborn”? What needs to be changed in me, in my community, in my circumscription, in the Congregation, in order to be reborn, to live with joy, enthusiasm and hope, our pauline vocation? How do we rediscover and communicate the prophetic and courageous dynamism of the Pauline Charism in the Church and the society of today?

Chasity has to be fruitful or productive and able to give birth to new “sons and daughters”. In this sense, the work of Vocation Animation starts with the animation of every sister of the institute, in a way that each one of us, in any situation or place in which we find ourselves, feels always the responsibility to “give birth to new sons and daughters.” And as the community is the motherly womb of every vocation (c.f. A. Cencini), the weakening of fraternal life, leads inevitably, to the decline of vocations.

If we love our Pauline vocation, none of us will die without leaving behind at least one ‘daughter’ to continue after us!

Before resuming to work

Garden of the Città Regina House